Maho:--- The delegation representing PANCAP the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS have dedicated their services in making sure that persons infected with HIV/AIDS receives treatment internationally. Chairman of PANCAP Dr. Denzil L. Douglas told reporters on Monday that PANCAP will be putting in place universal programs for care and attention for all people infected with HIV/AIDS. He said the global fund was established to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. He said appropriate programs have to be in place for them to utilize the funds that are now available to them. Another priority of PANCAP is to make sure there is no compromise on the issues of human rights. Dr. Douglas said on the opening night of the PANCAP 10th Annual meeting they contemplated on how they can have countries re-visit their laws that continue to discriminate against people living with HIV/AIDS. Dr. Douglas said while studying this topic they realized that revisiting laws will have political overturns but PANCAP has renewed its commitment in having these laws revisited over the next ten years.
Dr. Douglas said that while PANCAP has made significant achievements over the past 10 years their goal now is to move to what they have envisioned as achievable for the future and there would be no comprise on their endeavours.
The honourable Kofi Annan said they looked at the progress made by PANCAP thus far and the challenges they faced and those they need to prepare for in the future. Annan said there is a need for greater partnership especially when one faces such an epidemic. PANCAP he said is already struggling to get the needed resources thus they are working in partnership to pool their efforts to have a greater impact on the issues they are faced with. The former general secretary of United Nations said he is happy to hear that PANCAP will focus on removing the discriminatory laws that are against people living with HIV/AIDS. He said he believes such laws must be done as quickly as possible. Annan said as they move forward there would be need for greater leadership and creativity. This epidemic needs people who are willing to get up and fight each day until help can reach each and every person that is infected with the disease.
Dr. Michel Kazatchkine said PANCAP will face difficulty achieving funds due to the global financial crisis. He said they have to now find ways to maintain their services with less resources, however, he sees this as a major challenge for PANCAP's programs sustainability. Kazatchkine said it is important for them to pay much attention to sustainability in the region especially since they have resources through the global fund to ensure treatment is guaranteed. PANCAP he said has to make sure they maximise their returns on the investments they make. Already he said the progress is evident in this region especially since they are reducing the death rate by 40% while 51% of the people living with HIV/AIDS have access to treatment. The future achievement for PANCAP is for them to get virtual elimination from mother to child. He said right now there are only seven cases where mothers virtually infected their child and that can be eliminated. Another major challenge for PANCAP is how to reduce newly infected persons. PANCAP he said has to find ways to engage the younger generation into safer and protected sex and to reduce violence against women. He said they also have to find ways to empower young girls if they are to reduce the amount of newly infected. PANCAP he said has to find ways of removing punitive laws against homosexuality and prostitution. He said another area that has to be watched carefully is drug use since it is growing in the Caribbean region. These are areas he said are critical and they must be concentrated upon if they are to control the epidemic in the region.
The following is the audio of the press conference on Monday.
Select the audio below in the list to listen:
