Jamaica Making Progress in Ending AIDS in the Caribbean
Jamaica is leading the way in the Caribbean’s fight against HIV/AIDS, but there is still work to be done to achieve the goal of ending the epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. The Caribbean region has an estimated 330,000 people living with HIV, with 83% aware of their status and 68% receiving treatment. However, only 57% of those living with HIV are virally suppressed, which means there are still over 100,000 people awaiting treatment.
Data from the Global AIDS Report – The Path to End AIDS by 2030 show that men living with HIV in the Caribbean are less likely than women to be on treatment. Treatment coverage among men ranges from as low as 38% in Suriname to a high of 81% in The Bahamas, while among women, treatment ranges from 49% in Belize to 83% in Haiti. Unfortunately, children are lagging in treatment, with only 39% of the 11,000 children living with HIV receiving treatment.
In Jamaica, there has been a 17% reduction in new infections between 2010 and 2022. Currently, there are 30,000 people living with HIV in the country, accounting for 9% of the HIV population in the region. While 91% of people living with HIV in Jamaica know their status, only 49% are on antiretroviral treatment, and just 38% are virally suppressed. Efforts must be made to identify and connect the 15,000 people not yet on treatment to care and treatment services, with a particular focus on men, boys, and key populations.
Stigma and discrimination remain major barriers to accessing HIV-related services in Jamaica. Over half of people living with HIV experience enacted or self-stigma, which often prevents them from seeking treatment. Additionally, about a third of people living with HIV face stigma at the community level, and 10% experience HIV-related stigma from healthcare personnel.
The Jamaican government has shown strong leadership in the HIV response and has collaborated with civil society and the private sector to expand services. They are discussing the integration of HIV programs into the primary healthcare system to ensure sustainability and improved health outcomes. To successfully achieve this, people-centered differentiated service delivery and community-based services must be prioritized, and healthcare workers should be trained to provide gender-sensitive and rights-based services.
The government’s efforts in securing HIV commodities from domestic resources are commendable. Unlike many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Jamaica is not heavily reliant on international funding for its treatment programs. Collaborations between government agencies, civil society, and the network of people living with HIV have helped identify barriers to equality and devise effective strategies based on available data.
Ending AIDS is not only a health issue but also a political and economic choice. Strong political leadership, investment in evidence-based HIV prevention and treatment, addressing inequalities, engaging communities and civil society organizations, and sustainable domestic resources are crucial to achieving this goal. No one should die from AIDS-related illnesses in the present era, as we have the means to save lives through treatment. Governments must address sociocultural, policy, and legislative barriers that prevent men and children from accessing HIV prevention and treatment services.
With political commitment, investment, and global solidarity, the Caribbean can be on the right track to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Jamaica’s progress and efforts are commendable, but the pace needs to be accelerated to achieve the desired outcomes. It is essential to prioritize the well-being of individuals and communities, ensuring equitable access to HIV services and working towards a future free from AIDS.
