While Guyana has achieved much in the fight against HIV, there is still much more to be done to close the testing and treatment gaps and remove legislative barriers to prevent inequalities, according to Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony.
Dr Anthony said that his ministry is working to close those gaps by increasing access to testing through self-testing and working with partners to offer voluntary counselling and testing in all regions.
In his message to mark World AIDS Day, observed on December 1 under the theme ‘End inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemics,’ Dr Anthony said there are some 9,022 persons who were diagnosed with HIV with some 6,573 of that number on treatment and some 4,052 virally suppressed.
He, however, said there is growing concern that many of the HIV positive persons in Guyana are hesitant to be vaccinated, putting them at risk for COVID-19.
On the pandemic front as well, Programme Manager of the National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS) Dr Tariq Jagnarine said that the health authorities have been working tirelessly to ensure that the needs of persons living with HIV are met and they do not face the full impact of the pandemic and having to deal with HIV/AIDS. “Through a well-crafted programme that focuses on key populations and vulnerable groups, we have been able to make the major breakthroughs. However, we cannot do this alone,” Dr Jagnarine said as he called on all to join the fight.
And the ministry continues to roll out the combination HIV prevention by complementing HIV education with condom distribution, self-testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
According to the minister, the government has secured enough antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for all patients needing treatment and has taken steps to reduce loss to follow-up by employing multi-month drug dispensation, using new and effective combinations of ARVs, and using directly observed therapy (DOT) in HIV management.
“In addition, many patients have been screened and treated for STIs and Hepatitis. Plans are already on the way to secure treatment that cures persons with Hepatitis C,” the minister disclosed.
And there is work being done to expand prevention, treatment and care in the country and the ministry is optimistic that the partnerships being formed will help to reach more at-risk groups to enlist them in the programmes.
Guyana’s fight against HIV has been boosted over the years with support from the US through its PEPFAR programme and according to US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah Lynch, some US$185 million has been provided to the country since 2004 and for this year another US$1.5 million has been added.
In her message, she said PEPFAR supports the ministry and communities in Guyana to ensure that people of all ages, genders, and population groups have equitable access to life-saving HIV prevention and treatment services. PEPFAR also supports enabling policies and the systems and capabilities countries need to deliver effective, efficient and sustainable health care, including for HIV, even in times of great public health adversity. “We cannot achieve our goal to end AIDS if we deny people’s human rights or sexual and reproductive rights, or if we allow discrimination against people living with HIV or those who are most vulnerable to acquiring HIV,” the ambassador said in her message.
