CARICOM warns HIV infections stay high as funding drops

New HIV infections in the Caribbean are stuck at 15,000 a year, and shrinking donor cash is about to make a bad situation even worse.

Stubborn infection rates

• About 15,000 new HIV cases pop up annually across the region.
• One in four of those infections hits people between 15 and 24.
• Frank Anthony said prevention efforts need to speed up immediately.
• He warned that cuts to prevention programs will cause serious setbacks.

Funding is drying up

• International support for HIV programs is starting to decline.
• Prevention services usually take the first hit when money gets tight.
• UNAIDS warned nearly 4 million extra infections could happen globally.
• Anthony pushed for stronger regional cooperation to secure sustainable cash.

Game-changing meds on the horizon

• Long-acting injectables like lenacapavir offer twice-yearly protection.
• The drugs could be affordable if access is handled right.
• Equitable access is critical to changing the epidemic’s trajectory.
• He said history will judge the region by results, not meeting minutes.

Progress worth protecting

• AIDS-related deaths dropped over 60% since 2010.
• That’s the steepest decline of any region in the world.
• Anthony credited sustained government investment in treatment.
• He gave a shout-out to frontline workers who stuck with it for decades.