Port of Spain, November 2, 2022- On Tuesday November 1st, 2022, The Ministry of Health held a National HIV/AIDS Symposium under the theme, The First 95 – Partnering to Close the Gap. The main focus of the symposium was to generate consensus through collaboration by all stakeholders.
Under the stewardship of Minister of Health, the Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh, representatives from major organisations came together to have meaningful discussions on the strategies that would be enacted to address the first 95 (HIV Status) of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 target, and increase the rates of detection of HIV/AIDS in Trinidad and Tobago.
The UNAIDS global target aims to achieve 95% of all people living with HIV to know their HIV status, 95% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection to receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy to have viral suppression by the year 2030.
The Honourable Minister of Health highlighted the urgent need to revamp all existing HIV/AIDS policies through the incorporation of epidemiological data, environmental health sciences, evidence based interventions, and a strategic, target driven communications strategy in order to meet all of the UNAIDS targets by the year 2030.
Minister in the Office of The Prime Minister, the Honourable Ayanna Webster-Roy, who is responsible for oversight of the National AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC), called for strategic partnerships among all of the stakeholders present in finding meaningful solutions to encourage persons to be tested, and to reduce the stigma associated with Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV).
The organisations present at today’s symposium included the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO); the Centre for Disease Control (CDC); the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society (TTRCS); the University of the West Indies as well as the various Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) and other inter-Ministerial Agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations.
The Ministry of Health reaffirms its commitment to all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago that it will continue to deliver quality health care in the fight against HIV and AIDS.