– ECNETNews Reports on PAHO and Unitaid Partnership to Enhance HIV Response in Latin America and the Caribbean
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is addressing health inequality and promoting equitable access to healthcare, as emphasized by its Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, at the Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit 2024.
During his remarks, Dr. Barbosa highlighted the need to dismantle the vicious cycle of poverty and disease, stating, “When the health sector operates effectively, it has the potential to improve lives and reduce inequality.”
The event, featuring discussions on the state of global pandemic preparedness, also saw contributions from Joy Phumaphi, Co-chair of the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board. Dr. Barbosa underscored the critical need for equity to remain a focal point in discussions surrounding the new pandemic agreement.
“Trust is fundamental to global disease surveillance,” he noted. “Countries that share information and resources expect reciprocal support, including access to diagnostics and vaccines. Failing to meet these expectations could hinder future collaboration.”
Phumaphi echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of equity in consultation, responsibility, access, and outcomes.
Both leaders agreed that while global preparedness has improved since the COVID-19 pandemic, significant work lies ahead. Phumaphi remarked, “Prevention, preparedness, and response cannot be addressed in isolation; they are interconnected.”
Despite advancements in genomic surveillance and modifications to the International Health Regulations (IHR), Dr. Barbosa cautioned that the Americas still face challenges in pandemic readiness, stating, “In many countries, the One Health concept needs to translate into tangible actions. This is essential for early detection and improved responses.”
In a vital development, PAHO and Unitaid have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to bolster the HIV response in Latin America and the Caribbean. The agreement, finalized in Rio de Janeiro on July 30, includes a US$5 million grant aimed at reducing HIV-related deaths by enhancing prevention and management efforts.
This initiative will focus on pinpointing gaps in national HIV programs, enhancing surveillance, accelerating the adoption of new tests and treatments, and training healthcare professionals.
“Decentralizing HIV care to bring it closer to patients is essential for improving access to prevention and treatment,” Dr. Barbosa stated during the signing. “This grant empowers countries to implement tools that expedite our progress towards eliminating HIV-related deaths.”
Currently, approximately 2.3 million people in Latin America and 340,000 in the Caribbean are living with HIV. While advancements in treatment have led to a significant decline in HIV-related deaths over the past decade—by 28% in Latin America and 57% in the Caribbean—new infections have surged by 9% in Latin America in 2023, underscoring the urgent necessity for targeted interventions.
Philipe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid, remarked, “This agreement enhances our support for nations in the Americas in addressing HIV effectively while building on our existing efforts. By embracing new tools and public health strategies, I am optimistic that we will see meaningful improvements in advanced HIV disease management.”
Since 2020, PAHO and Unitaid have collaborated on health innovations in the Americas. Earlier this year, they also committed to a partnership aimed at eliminating 30 preventable communicable diseases by 2030, including HIV and cervical cancer, under PAHO’s Elimination Initiative.
