Anew report from UNAIDS reveals that the Caribbean region has the potential to end its AIDS epidemic by 2030, but only if leaders take decisive action now.
The report, titled “The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads,” highlights both progress and challenges in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the region.
According to the report, the Caribbean has made significant strides in HIV treatment and prevention since 2010. However, the pace of progress has slowed in recent years, particularly in reducing new infections.
Dr Richard Amenyah, UNAIDS Multi-Country Director for the Caribbean, emphasized the need for targeted interventions: “Prioritising targeted interventions, community-led responses, and integration to leave no one behind; bolstering treatment accessibility and retention in care; advocating for legal reforms; and challenging harmful gender and other social norms will go a long way to address the root causes of risk and vulnerability of people living with, and most affected by, HIV.”
The report highlights four countries – Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica – account for nearly 90% of new HIV infections in the region, with Haiti alone responsible for 38% of new cases. Additionally, key populations and their sexual partners continue to be disproportionately affected, accounting for 47% of new infections in 2022.
While treatment coverage has expanded in the Caribbean, with 70% of people living with HIV now on treatment, significant challenges remain. Late diagnosis and difficulties in enrolling and retaining people in care continue to hinder progress. Particularly concerning is the low treatment coverage for children, at just 39% compared to adult coverage.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima stressed the importance of political will and resource allocation saying, “World leaders pledged to end the AIDS pandemic as a public health threat by 2030, and they can uphold their promise, but only if they ensure that the HIV response has the resources it needs and that the human rights of everyone are protected.”
The report underscores that human rights protections are crucial for an effective HIV response. Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, stated, “We can choose the road of rights protections, of respecting others, of following the science and the evidence. This is the road that has led to reductions in new infections and to healthy lives.”
The “Urgency of Now” report presents a critical juncture for the Caribbean’s HIV response. It suggests that with sufficient resources, sustainable funding, and a commitment to protecting human rights, the region can make significant progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
However, failure to take bold action now could result in a reversal of hard-won gains and an increase in the number of people requiring lifelong HIV treatment.
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