GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — A significant regional workshop titled “Connecting Science with Communities: Enhancing the Caribbean’s HIV Response” will take place in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday and Tuesday, focusing on advancing the dialogue between cutting-edge HIV research and practical service delivery to vulnerable populations.
Co-hosted by the International AIDS Society (IAS) and the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), this event is made possible through collaboration with The Global Fund, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and Plataforma LAC. The workshop is designed to bring together a diverse array of participants, including healthcare providers, community leaders, youth advocates, researchers, and policymakers, to foster innovative discussions aimed at integrating scientific insights into effective community health strategies.
Dr. Wendy Telgt-Emanuelson, director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit at the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat, emphasized the importance of the workshop, stating, “We aim to establish a comprehensive framework that connects groundbreaking HIV research with the practicalities of service delivery within our communities. The recent findings from AIDS 2024—the 25th International AIDS Conference—are pivotal and must be harnessed to inform our local strategies. It is essential that our region stays at the forefront of HIV response efforts.”
The workshop’s agenda includes a thorough review of the critical insights from the AIDS 2024 conference, examining their relevance to the Caribbean context. Participants will discuss methods to translate advanced scientific findings into actionable services for people living with HIV, ensuring they have access to holistic healthcare solutions.
In addition, the workshop will confront the pressing issues of HIV-related stigma and discrimination, promoting the normalization of HIV services while addressing the broader healthcare needs that intersect with HIV care. This initiative seeks to empower stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to advocate for and implement policies that reflect the latest scientific evidence while being sensitive to the unique challenges faced by communities in the Caribbean.
Through this gathering of key HIV stakeholders, the workshop aims to catalyze the development of effective policies and strategies that enhance health service delivery, ultimately improving the quality of life for individuals affected by HIV across the region.
