Caribbean among regions lacking in HIV prevention, treatment says UNICEF

By Shanieka Smith

Staff Writer

December 1, 2022 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) noted that over the past three years, no advancements have been made in HIV prevention and treatment, particularly in the Caribbean, which is among several other regions that still have not attained pre-pandemic statistics.

UNICEF Associate Chief of HIV/AIDS, Anurita Bains said many young people’s lives are at risk due to this stagnation. The number of young people living with HIV globally is now at 2.7 million.

“Children are falling through the cracks because we are collectively failing to find and test them and get them on life-saving treatment.  Every day that goes by without progress, over 300 children and adolescents lose their fight against AIDS,” the associate chief said.

UNICEF noted a decline in the number of children living with HIV over the last decade.  The number of new infections decreased by 52 per cent for children under 14 years old, and by 40 per cent for those ages 15 to 19.  The treatment gap between children and adults still widens and failure to address this will make ending AIDS in children and adolescents impossible.

According to UNICEF, only 52 per cent of children living with HIV globally are able to access treatment.  Pregnant and breastfeeding women in many high-priority countries experienced a decline in treatment coverage in 2020, which led to over 75,000 new child infections.

Bains gave assurance that strategic partnership, the availability of resources, and a renewed political commitment to those who are most vulnerable will help to end AIDS in children, pregnant women and adolescents.