ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada – Grenada is among seven Caribbean countries to benefit from a US$100 million financial package, designed to undertake HIV/AIDS projects. They will include support for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs.
The signing of the five-year U.S. President’s strategic framework took place at the Barbados residence of Dr. Brent Hardt, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown.
Health Minister Sen. Ann Peters, who signed on behalf of Grenada, were among Caribbean Health Ministers and Permanent Secretaries who initialed the document to chart a path for sustained support in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Sen. Peters said the main areas of focus of the agreement are: HIV/AIDS prevention, laboratory strengthening, human capacity development, sustainability and strategic information/data gathering and analysis.
According to the Minister, the overall project goal is to reduce the incidents and prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean region. It’s also to build the capacity of national governments to develop and maintain sustainable, comprehensive and effective national HIV/AIDS programs, Sen. Peters added.
Fund for project implementation will be made available in June.
Apart from Sen. Peters, others signing the agreement in Bridgetown were the Health Ministers from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well representatives of the OECS HIV/AIDS Program Unit.
Twelve countries are altogether expected to sign the agreement.
