There has been a steady decrease in HIV-related mortality rates in Dominica since 2005.

ROSEAU Dominica,  May 14th, 2012  --  According to the Commonwealth of Dominica Global AIDS Response Progress Report 2012, there were only five reported HIV-related deaths in 2011. The report notes that these deaths occurred because the persons were not accessing the available treatment, care and support services. For the period 1987-2011, the Health Information Unit (HIU) has recorded a cumulative figure of 143 certified HIV-related deaths.

In 2011, there were 15 new cases of HIV and additional four were pending confirmation. Of those persons testing positive for HIV 64.2 percent were male while 35.7 percent were female. The report said that the cumulative figure from 1987 - when the first HIV case was noted - to 2011 was 376 reported cases. Those persons most affected by HIV in Dominica are between the ages of 25 – 49, the country’s most productive population.

The National HIV and AIDS Response Programme Secretariat (NHARP) has made testing and counselling services an integral part of the services offered to the public and most-at-risk populations (MARPs). For 2011, a total of 6,257 HIV tests were conducted – 3,897 females and 2,360 males. Blood donor screening also continued to be a priority in 2011 with 1, 059 persons being screened at the Blood Bank. There were no positive HIV cases among donors in 2011.

Dominica’s prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme continues to ensure that all pregnant women are tested for HIV. This is an effort through the maternal and child health services and in 2011, 993 HIV tests were conducted for pregnant women at the government laboratory.

There were three exposed infants, two from mothers previously testing positive All HIV positive mothers are offered Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HART) and all exposed infants are treated and followed up for the first year and a half by the PMTCT Coordination. Additionally they are given supplemental/replacement feeding.

With regards to treatment, care and support, in 2011 a total of 39 persons out of 70 were receiving HAART. The gender breakdown for the client population was 64 percent male and 34 percent female.

NHARP is scaling up the HIV and AIDS response with the platform already established under the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Global Fund Grant to implement activities in keeping with the thrust to target the MARPs, to keep the incidence of new cases of HIV at a minimum and to continue to improve treatment, care and support for people living with HIV (PLHIV).

In so doing the country’s HIV and AIDS programming is prioritized in keeping with the six priority areas of the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) 2008 - 2012. The CRSF guides the work of Pan Caribbean partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP).

PANCAP is a regional partnership established by CARICOM Heads of Government in 2001 to respond to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean. It is a more country focused, goal driven, learning organization that is able to respond flexibly to emerging needs.

PANCAP is committed to championing the cause and continues to develop and coordinate the implementation of programmes across the region designed to reduce stigma and discrimination, accelerate the agenda for achieving universal access to prevention, care, treatment and support services and collaborate to increase awareness of the need to develop anti stigma and discrimination policies and legislation.

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