THE Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) is set to host the first meeting of the PANCAP-CVC-COIN Technical Advisory Group for the Multi-Country Caribbean Global Fund on January 28.

Under the theme “Sustainability of services for Key Populations in the Caribbean,” the meeting will take place at the CARICOM Secretariat, here in Guyana. In a statement on Thursday, PANCAP explained that the US$6.5M grant commenced on October 1, 2019, and is intended to provide sustainable HIV prevention, treatment and care services for key populations in the Caribbean Region. These populations include men who have sex with men (MSM), Sex workers and Transgender people, who are direct beneficiaries of the grant which will be shared by the following counties: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

“The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) is a regional, multi-sectoral body with a mandate to provide oversight to the PANCAP/CVC/COIN Global Fund Grant. That oversight includes ensuring that the implementation of the grant is focused, efficient and flexible, i.e. the TAG ensures that the execution is focused on the right activities, for the right populations and in the right places, in accordance with the performance framework of the PANCAP/CVC/COIN Global Fund Grant,” PANCAP explained.

According to Director of PANCAP, Dereck Springer, the upcoming meeting will provide TAG members with the opportunity to be oriented to the governance of the TAG, updated on the management of the grant and the implementation of activities including programmatic updates and information on disbursements.

“Members will also elect a Chair and Vice-Chair who will be responsible for ensuring that the TAG fulfils its mandate,” the Director said, while adding that “bold and decisive leadership is needed to ensure that the implementation of the grant adequately addresses the sustainability of services for key populations.”

The Director further underscored that the success of the grant is crucial to the Region’s HIV response as it aligns with PANCAP’s vision of an AIDS-free Caribbean, one in which Caribbean people are empowered to fulfil their potential and live happy, healthy and peaceful lives.