One step closer
Dear Editor,
We are one step closer to ending AIDS as a public health concern in Jamaica!
On May 7, 2024 the World Health Organization recognised Jamaica as being one of three countries in the Caribbean to have successfully eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis.
In addition to this major milestone, the partners in the national HIV response would have introduced new modalities for HIV prevention in our country. The Ministry of Health and Wellness, Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, and Centre for HIV/AIDS Research and Education Services (CHARES) have ensured that they are leading the charge in ensuring that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) is available to people who are Hiv-negative to utilise as an added layer of protection from HIV.
The Jamaican Network of Seropositives conducts two community-led monitoring (CLM) interventions: Community Treatment Observatory and Community Scorecard. Both initiatives produced reports in 2023 and the data indicate that there is a decrease in Hiv-related stigma and discrimination in the health-care setting.
And if that weren’t enough, more people seem to be willing to know their status, as we are experiencing an uptick in the distribution of HIV self-testing kits. Jamaicans now understand that they can know their status from the comfort of their homes and choose where to access treatment should they be HIV positive.
These three examples speak volumes of the robust efforts that have been invested in the national HIV response. And, of course, there is still much to be done.
The Jamaica Anti-discrimination System (JADS) has reported that in 2023 76 per cent of the cases of HIV discrimination happened in the community setting. Considering this, we need to continue to design and implement impactful interventions at the community level. Additionally, we need to expedite the passing of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation.
Further to that, we need more public education on the science of Undetectable=untransmissible (U=U). There have been several studies that have shown that a person with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to another person sexually. We believe that the full promotion of U=U by the HIV response will not only significantly decrease Hiv-related discrimination but help to achieve epidemic control.
Let’s make ending AIDS by 2030 a reality!
Jaemar Johnson
Policy and advocacy officer Jamaican Network of Seropositives policyofficer@jaeser.ommicrosoft.com