PRESENTATION TO: PAHO/WHO ‘KNOW YOUR STATUS’ WORKSHOP, SURINAME

21ST -22nd APRIL, 2005

VOLUNTARY COUNSELING & TESTING SERVICES IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Izola GarciaInformation and Communications Management Officer, The National AIDS Coordinating Committee

VOLUNTARY COUNSELING & TESTING SERVICES

PRESENTED BY:IZOLA GARICAINFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT OFFICER, NACC, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

DATE:THURSDAY 21ST APRIL, 2005

THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

First reported HIV case was in 1983 Up to the end of 2004, there have been 14,536

reported HIV cases (cumulative) At the end of 2003, it was estimated that there

were 20,000 people living with HIV. 70% of infections occur between ages 15 to 49

years 45% of new infections occur in females In the 15-24 age group, 70% of the new infections

occur in females Source: Ministry of Health, National Surveillance

Unit

ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS OF VCT

PMTCT 105 Health Centres 6 Hospitals (ALL)

STI Clinics QPCC & C

San Fernando General Hospital

5 Outreach STI Clinics

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

SERVICES PROVIDED

Pre & Post test counseling- Maternal and Child Health Clinics at Public Facilities

97 % of attendees are offered counseling

95 % of attendees are offered testing

Pre & Post test counseling at STI clinics—100% of attendees

USE AND DEMAND OF SERVICES Demand for VCT is high

Adhoc outreach at health facilities is high. This is due to the awareness of HIV/AIDS as a disease and the population wanting to know its status

Counseling and care are provided from nurses, doctors, medical social workers, voluntary persons from non-governmental organisations and faith-based organisations

Unfortunately, many of those tested do not return for their results. (confidentiality, time lag)

Increased offerings at event-based and outreach VCT services. E.g. World AIDS Day, Youth Day, Church fairs.

NUMBER OF PERSONS UNDER ANTI-RETROVIRAL TREATMENT

PLWHAs TREATMENT & CARE ARV TREATMENT

TOBAGOCHILDREN 20 14ADULTS 90 70

EWMSCCHILDREN *80 30

CYRIL ROSS 77 45

SFGHADULTS *307 300CHILDREN *10 10

MRF 1981 1004TOTAL 2565 1473*estimated

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PEOPLE NEEDING ANTI-RETROVIRAL

TREATMENT

3000-6000 persons (15-30% of 20,000 estimated HIV positive)

VCT INTO THE FUTURE OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

MEETING THE SOCIETY’S NEEDS Baseline surveys and other research to further

assess needs and trends NSP mandates free VCT services in every district

of Trinidad & Tobago NGOs and FBOs becoming increasingly involved Impending use of mobile VCT clinics to offer

service to rural areas and to provide greater community access

Formalisation of national media campaign to support VCT

Formalisation of National VCT policy

THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION!