The Prime Minister, as Chair of the Steering Committee on HIV/Aids for the HIV Response for British and Dutch Territories, has been updated regarding the launching of the rapid assessment of the HIV Response in the British and Dutch Territories. The project "Strengthening the Integration of the British and Dutch OCTs in the regional response to HIV/AIDS through PANCAP" is in its final stage of implementation and plans are underway to support the implementation of the final project evaluation that is scheduled for mid-2014.
At the last Steering Committee Meeting in November 2013, it was agreed that the evaluation process would include a rapid assessment of the HIV Response in the British and Dutch Overseas Territories. This rapid assessment is to help to determine the manner in which the critical gaps and challenges identified in the national response for HIV have been addressed. Similarly, it will provide qualitative feedback on the overall impact, and key areas for continued strengthening to ensure on-going integration of the HIV response and sustainability following the project closure. On the basis of the rapid assessments, consultants will be asked to draw the final report for the project, as agreed at the time of the approval for the Addendum to the Financing Agreement in 2013.
The Prime Minister, as Chair of the HIV/Aids Committee, held a follow-up meeting with Sandra Jones, HIV/STI Technical Advisor for the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization PAHO/WHO and principles of the HIV/AIDS project of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour on Monday. The meeting was held as a follow-up and update regarding the Contribution Agreement governing the implementation of the EC/OCT Project of the "Strengthening the Integration of the British and Dutch OCTs in the Regional Response to HIV/AIDS through the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS", which was signed by PAHO/WHO and the European Community (EC) in October 2008. The overall objective of the project is to halt and reverse the spread of HIV within the British and Dutch OCTs.
Project implementation commenced in 2009 and has focused on the strengthening of the response in the OCTs, given their realities. The first two years emphasised the establishment and finalization of mechanisms and structures for project implementation, while strengthening the capacity of territories to scale-up its response in a strategic manner. During the period of implementation the project has strived to strengthen and expand services for HIV (based on the realities and needs of the territories), while emphasizing the human rights of all individuals. The project also utilizes different strategies and approaches to the development of outputs and outcomes so as to ensure a sustained impact after the closure of the project.