Guyana and U.S strong partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS

Dec 02, 2009 News

There are a number of obstacles that threaten the success of the US future HIV prevention, treatment and care efforts globally, but the US is committed to supporting past achievements and many others that have curb the spread of HIV and AIDS in Guyana.
Karen L. Williams, Chargé d’Affaires attached to the United States Embassy, in a statement on Monday, said, “We cannot succeed in this fight against HIV/AIDS alone, and the U.S. is committed to working with our global partners to support Guyana’s leadership in this effort.”

Karen L. Williams, Chargé d

Williams noted that a mega five-year partnership plan is in the works to Guyana’s benefit in the health care system.
“Over the next five years, the U.S. will place a renewed emphasis on partnering with Guyana to build Guyana’s national HIV/AIDS response.” She noted too that “we (the US) will continue to work together with all sectors of Guyana as they craft strategies and programs to combat HIV/AIDS, and we will support the Government of Guyana as it engages international partners, civil society and non-governmental organisations.”
In addition, as part of the United States Global Health Initiative announced by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, PEPFAR will support Guyana as it works to further integrate and expand access to other health care services, such as those that address tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and family planning with HIV/AIDS programmes.
The Charge d’Affaires also noted however, “As we do this, we must also ensure that the work we do together addresses the societal challenges that drive the spread of HIV.”
Chargé d’Affaires Williams said that in Guyana, PEPFAR has allocated more than US$100 million to the HIV/AIDS epidemic over a six-year period.  She said too that at the end of September 2009, the national programme, with the support of PEPFAR, had provided life-saving anti-retroviral therapy to 2,737 people, and HIV care and support services to 5,399 persons infected with and affected by HIV.
Among these, more than 1,300 children, orphaned or made vulnerable due to HIV/AIDS, received care and support services to improve their quality of life. PEPFAR has supported the expansion of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission programme.
This programme has provided testing to more than 11,000 pregnant women and anti-retroviral therapy to HIV positive pregnant women to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies.
“The U.S. commends the national program for the decline in HIV prevalence seen over the last six years and the strength of programmes and support systems that have facilitated these important gains,” Ms Williams noted.
As Guyana joined the world in observing World AIDS Day, yesterday, Williams said that by working together for the past 25 years, the global community has achieved many successes in the fight against HIV/AIDS that deserve recognition.
The World Health Organization estimates that more than four million individuals in low- and middle-income nations currently have access to anti-retroviral treatment. Williams in expressing thanks to the country’s many partners said, the American people through the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) support more than half of those men, women and children on treatment.
PEPFAR is the largest commitment in history by any nation to combat a single disease, and the United States is unwavering in its commitment to its partner nations.  Williams on World AIDS Day 2009, we recommit ourselves to furthering our achievements and look forward to continuing the battle against this global epidemic.