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Hike incidence of HIV cases seen in first half of 2019 – Mid-Year Report
Guyana has recorded an increase in the incidence of HIV and this has been outlined in the Mid-Year Report which was only this week released by government.
Ms. Volda Lawrence, Minister of Public Health
“The incidence of HIV grew to 142 cases per 100,000 persons, significantly higher than the 2018 rate of 117 per 100,000 persons,” stated the report.
It is no wonder that the Ministry has set in motion as a number of tactical moves which it hopes will reverse the daunting trend.
Remaining high on its agenda, is testing for the virus which is viewed by the local Ministry of Public Health as “the most important activity in the fight against the virus.”
Moreover, to this end, and in its pursuit to achieve the 90-90-90 Treat All Policy, government has committed to increasing HIV testing.
This, according to the Report, will see moves to solicit the support of Non Governmental Organisations [NGOs] to help increase access to testing of vulnerable groups including: men who have sex with men and commercial sex workers.
Through this strategic collaboration, it is expected that there will be increased efforts at sensitisation, the distribution of condoms, and the linking of persons to care and treatment sites.
To boost its efforts to combat the increased incidence of the disease, Government has positioned itself to pilot two new initiatives this month “as countermeasures against HIV,” the Report stated.
The first of these is the establishment of a public-private partnership with doctors within the private sector to whom patients will be referred for treatment.
“While the cost of treatment will remain free, the patient will be required to cover the doctor’s consultation fee,” the report has noted.
Also Government will be introducing Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, which is a course of HIV drugs taken as a pre-emptive measure against the spread of disease, particularly targeted are vulnerable groups.
Guyana has moved to boost its HIV fight even as the time draws near for the realisation of the ambitious 90-90-90 targets which speaks to 90 percent of all people living with HIV knowing their HIV status by 2020; 90 percent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy by 2020; and 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy being virally suppressed by 2020.
The targets were introduced through the joint United Nations programme on HIV and AIDS, UNAIDS, and its partners. UNAIDS has made it clear though that, “Ending the AIDS epidemic is more than a historic obligation to the 39 million people who have died of the disease.
“It also represents a momentous opportunity to lay the foundation for a healthier, more just and equitable world for future generations.”
In this regard the UN body has noted that “ending the AIDS epidemic will inspire broader global health and development efforts, demonstrating what can be achieved through global solidarity, evidence-based action and multi-sectoral partnerships.”
But although many strategies will be needed to close the book on the AIDS epidemic, one thing is certain, UNAIDS has noted is that “It will be impossible to end the epidemic without bringing HIV treatment to all who need it.”
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