THE Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV&AIDS (PANCAP) has formed a partnership with the Knowledge for Health (K4Health) Project to enhance knowledge generation, sharing and learning among PANCAP members.The 18-month project, being executed at a cost of US$800,000, was launched on Monday at Georgetown’s Cara Lodge with the primary objective being to enhance PANCAP’s response to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ‘Test and Start’ Guidelines.

In his address to reporters at the launching ceremony, made in the presence of Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton, PANCAP Director Dereck Springer underscored PANCAP’s critical role in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS, and enabling treatment.

He pointed out that new infections fell from 27,000 cases in 2000 to 13,000 cases in 2014, while AIDS-related deaths fell by more than half -– from 18,000 in 2000 to 8,800 in 2014; and antiretroviral coverage increased to approximately 52 per cent from less than five per cent of the eligible population in 2001.

However, he said the work of the partnership of Government and non-governmental bodies, established in 2001 to facilitate a coordinated regional response to HIV/AIDS, will be further boosted with the help of K4Health Project.

The new partnership, Springer posited, will transform the way knowledge-management and sharing is done among PANCAP member countries, particularly in regard to the new WHO guidelines for HIV/AIDS treatment eligibility.

“Study evidence shows that the earlier persons living with HIV start antiretroviral treatment, they have better health outcomes,” he said.

However, Springer said that in order to achieve the paradigm shift, the resources required for diagnostics and treatment, staff education, and clear and consistent public messaging about the benefits of Test and Start must be understood by health and other key decision-makers; hence partnership is critical in this regard.

SHARING INFORMATION
“The K4Health Project will assist with packaging and sharing vital information, necessary for PANCAP members to begin the process of educating health-care workers and the public about commencing treatment immediately after an HIV positive diagnosis,” he explained.

The K4Health Project, based in Baltimore, United States, is funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Global Health, Office of Population and Reproductive Health, and is implemented by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programmes (CCP).

Knowledge Management Advisor to Johns Hopkins University, Sarah Fohl, said: “Our goal is to bring PANCAP partners together to share best practices and improve access to information that is vital to HIV testing and early treatment in concise, well-packaged communication products that can be easily accessed and utilised by policy-makers, health-care professionals, civil society organisations, and all entities involved in the eradication of the virus”.

As such, K4Health Project will conduct a number of knowledge-sharing events and workshops for PANCAP, which has a membership of 65 countries and organisations.

Fohl also noted that the partnership would result in the revamping and re-launching of PANCAP’s website with fact sheets, policy documents, brochures, and other communication products which would concisely illustrate the importance of commencing early HIV treatment after a positive diagnosis.

K4Health/PANCAP Knowledge Management Coordinator Dr. Shanti Singh-Anthony echoed similar sentiments. She noted that best practices and innovative models for care that reduce stigma and discrimination would also be highlighted.

“Through the application of knowledge management techniques and approaches, these complex issues will be developed into concise, graphically appealing and user-friendly communication productions,” Dr. Singh-Anthony added.

In recommitting the K4Health Project, she said the organisation would work closely with “PANCAP and all of its partners to ensure that knowledge management translates into bridging the treatment gap and ending AIDS in our region”.

PRAISE
Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton, in offering brief remarks, lauded the contributions made by PANCAP to the region. He said Guyana has reaped, and continues to reap, the benefits not only from PANCAP but also from other key international donors and partners.

“For example, our records indicate that in 2015, more than 55 thousand HIV tests were provided, increasing from 17.9 per cent of key populations in 2014 to 22.5 per cent in 2015. At the end of 2015, we have maintained 4,551 persons on free, high-quality antiretroviral therapy, which has helped improve quality of life and treatment outcomes,” Minister Norton pointed out.

He said the country’s commitment to reaching the 90-90-90 goals of the WHO Test and Start by 2020, and ending AIDS by 2030, will require unconventional, out-of-the-box thinking. However, with the help of PANCAP, the country will make significant strides.

“With PANCAP’s support, Guyana has explored innovative financing mechanisms and developed recommendations to ensure that our response continues to be adequately funded, sustaining the gains we have made so far,” he declared.

The K4Health-PANCAP Project, based at PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU) in Georgetown, is a PEPFAR/USAID-funded initiative to support PANCAP in its role as a regional coordinator and knowledge facilitator.