Haz click aquí para leer este posicionamiento en español.
Port of Spain, May 8.- The Jamaica Family Planning Association (JFPA), St. Vincent Planned Parenthood Association (SVGPPA) and the International Planned Parenthood Federation Regional Office in the Americas and the Caribbean celebrate Belize, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines for receiving the World Health Organization’s certification for eliminating perinatal transmission* of HIV and Syphilis, a historic milestone for women and infants in the Caribbean. This significant achievement advances efforts to effectively prevent HIV transmission in our region.
We commend the commitment of governments, health professionals, civil society organizations and communities, including the Jamaica Family Planning Association (JFPA) and St. Vincent Planned Parenthood Association (SVGPPA), both IPPF Member Associations, to invest in adequate attention for HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
For Eugenia Lopez Uribe – IPPF Americas and Caribbean Regional Director, “This juncture presents an excellent opportunity to enhance HIV prevention strategies and to show how a well-done prenatal care, where women have access to all necessary tests and treatments, including HIV tests and medicines, works. It's a collective victory: for science, which has advanced and shows its efficiency, and for decision makers who adopt evidence-based responses to HIV."
JFPA and SVGPPA have been key in responding to HIV in their countries, as they have been working to integrate HIV and STI services into its overall family planning offering. JFPA provides counselling, testing and referral of pregnant women at their first ante-natal visit, while SVGPPA offers HIV/STI screening and counselling, both working together with strong HIV organizations on the ground.
when
country
Jamaica, St Vincent
region
Las Américas y el Caribe
Subject
HIV and STIs, Maternal Healthcare
Related Member Association
Jamaica Family Planning Association, St. Vincent Planned Parenthood Association
"We at JFPA celebrate this achievement for Jamaica - an achievement which speaks of partnership and collaboration. We pledge to continue to support any and all efforts designed to safeguard the sexual and reproductive health of families in Jamaica", stated Dr. Pauline Russell-Brown, CEO of the Jamaica Family Planning Association.
IPPF Americas and the Caribbean, and IPPF across the globe, is committed to the HIV response through a rights-based and people-centered approach.
With Belize, Jamaica and St. Vincent joining Cuba, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Dominica in attaining WHO certification, it highlights the global significance of this accomplishment. Among the 19 countries and territories worldwide awarded this distinction, 11 are from the Caribbean. This achievement also sets a powerful example for the rest of the LAC highlighting the advances made by the Caribbean in HIV prevention and urging others to learn from and emulate these successes.
*Perinatal or vertical HIV transmission happens to the foetus during pregnancy and childbirth and during childbirth and breastfeeding if women are not under adequate treatment.
