THE Assistant Secretary-General for Human and Social Development of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr. Douglas Slater, stressed that collaborative efforts must be advanced to ‘close the gap’ that represents inequality and inhumanity.

His remarks were made during a brief ceremony, at the CARICOM Secretariat held to hand over more than G$150,000 worth of food items to the Food Bank of the Guyana National HIV & AIDS Programme (NAP).

Initiated and organised by the PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU) in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat Staff Association, the ceremony, chaired by PANCAP Coordinating Unit Director Mr. Dereck Springer, was held to observe World AIDS Day 2014.
CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General, Dr Douglas Slater, told the gathering, which included CARICOM’s Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General, “There is a global recognition that even with the best treatment delivery options, without the complementary programmes for prevention and for the elimination of HIV-related stigma and discrimination, ending AIDS will remain a dream…. Together we must close the gap”.

He added, “PANCAP is dedicated to ensuring human rights of all people throughout the region, and through its Justice for All Programme, aims to close the gap from inequality to equality and humanity for each and every person.”

Dr. Douglas Slater also drew attention to the strides that have been made by the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), to accelerate the pace for achieving the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

“PANCAP has provided the coordination under which many opportunities have been garnered, and many gaps have already been closed,” he said.
His address highlighted several achievements, including: a 40 % decline in new HIV infections, and a reduction in the prevalence of HIV to one percent; anti retroviral treatment being available for 70% of those eligible for it; major reduction in AIDS-related deaths; 90% of pregnant women living with HIV receiving treatment, resulting in a 52% decline in HIV infections among children.

The brief function, which included poetry reading by PCU staffer Karen Cumberbatch, and a skit by Merundoi, was one of many observances organised to mark the day.

World AIDS Day commemorations are held around the world each year on the first of December to remember the lives lost to AIDS, recognise the people currently living with, and affected by, HIV; and to recommit ourselves to the effort of ending AIDS.

PANCAP is a sixty-two-member partnership that was established by CARICOM Heads of Government in 2001 to respond to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean.