UNAIDS to Discuss Deeper Cooperation in Public Health in Guyana and Suriname

Dr. Richard Amenyah, the Multi-country Director for the Caribbean at the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), is scheduled to visit Guyana and Suriname from April 24 to May 4.

This visit underscores UNAIDS’ unwavering commitment to partnering with governments throughout the region to cooperate towards the common commitment of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

“The Caribbean region has made significant achievements in the response to HIV, but we still have many challenges ahead if we are to achieve our commitments in public health included in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda,” said Dr. Amenyah.

“This visit aims to explore opportunities in this regard to help bolster health systems that are both resilient and responsive to the needs of people across the region, especially those who are most vulnerable and marginalized.”

The goal is to discuss strategic priorities, including the integration of services, addressing inequalities, community involvement, and the expansion of HIV prevention and treatment measures as well as sustainability to protect the gains in the HIV response.

Another key focus of the visit will be to align and streamline the efforts of UNAIDS and its United Nations cosponsor agencies, funds, and programs with activities in both countries to fulfill ambitious goals toward ending inequalities and ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Additionally, the UNAIDS representative will visit various health facilities and hold discussions with civil society organizations, focusing on strengthening partnerships and collaboration in the HIV response. These interactions aim to bolster the national responses in both countries and emphasize the importance of country ownership and leadership, community involvement/engagement, integration of services, and scaling up prevention and treatment efforts to combat the epidemic.