Persons affected with HIV/AIDS in the member countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) will reap the benefits of a high-level PANCAP Mission to Brazil headed by St. Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr. Denzil L.
Douglas, one year ago this month.
Dr. Douglas, the lead Prime Minister in the OECS and the CARICOM Community with responsibility for HIV/AIDS and other health matters, will on Thursday 27th April sign a Letter of Intent with Brazil for the supply of anti-retroviral drugs to persons in St. Kitts and Nevis and other member countties of the OECS living with HIV/AIDS.
Prime Minister Douglas will sign the Letter of Intent with Brazil's Third Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Ms Gabriela Resendes for the supply of the anti-retroviral drugs for next five years.
The signing will take place during the opening of the Fourteenth Meeting of CARICOM's Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), which takes place on the 27th and 28th in St. Kitts.
Among the issues earmarked for discussion at the upcoming Meeting of the COHSOD are, domestic regulations governing the free movement of health professionals in the Region and the migration of nurses. The state of mental health in the Region, the Community progress in reducing the demand for drugs and the settling up of affordable drop in centers for drug addicts and the homeless are also expected to engage the meeting.
Regional health and social security officials are also gearing to focus on Plan of Action aimed at integrating the Region's Approach to preventing and controlling chronic diseases. This is in addiction to examine the economic impact of disease such as Diabetes and Hypertension in the Caribbean, and making arrangements for a regional Health Insurance scheme.
As the Region scales up its response to the fight against HIV/AIDS, the COHSOD will receive an update on the status of implementation and developments in the regional strategic response to HIV/AIDS.
The Council will also receive several reports including one from the meeting of Chief Medical Officers which will take place on Tuesday 25th April, a status report on Health and Cricket World Cup )CWC) 2007, and proposals for establishing the Caribbean Health Initiative to improve health care delivery in the Region.
The meeting of the COHSOD will be chaired by the newly appointed Minster of Health and Social Security of The Bahamas, Senator the Hon. Bernard Nottage, Outgoing Chair of the COHSOD , Hon Rupert Herbert, St. Kitts and Nevis'
Minster of Health and Director of Pan American Health Organisation, Dr.
Mirta Roses are also expected to deliver remarks at the meeting.
