Sustainable HIV Response In Central America Project

Central America, second only to the Caribbean within the Latin American and Caribbean region, faces a significant HIV and AIDS epidemic.

The epidemic threatens to escalate and demands immediate action, particularly among highly vulnerable groups, such as men who have sex with other men (MSM), transgender women, and other high-risk populations collectively known as key populations. In Guatemala, the stunting rate is 47% - the sixth highest in the world- and has not diminished despite multisectorial efforts.

The USAID Sustainable Response to Health, HIV, and Nutrition Project in Central America, is dedicated to strengthening public policies aimed at curbing the HIV epidemic and delivering high-quality health and nutrition services aligned with the needs and preferences of the people it serves.

GEOGRAPHICAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC APPROACH

The project, implemented by FANCAP, is carried out in close collaboration with various partners, such as the Ministries of Public Health, the National Programs for HIV/AIDS and Nutrition, the Secretariat of Food and Nutritional Security, Institutions for the Defense of Human Rights, Civil Society Organizations, and the Private Sector. For HIV, the project focuses its efforts in four Central American countries: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Panama. For nutrition, the activities are implemented only in Guatemala.

CONTEXT AND CHALLENGES

Despite the commendable efforts of Central American countries in establishing coordinated national responses against HIV, challenges persist in the realms of policy, governance, healthcare systems, and human rights. A comprehensive approach is essential to meet the ambitious 95-95-95 targets for 2030.

In Guatemala, the limited availability of health services, intertwined with poverty and social exclusion, disproportionately affects rural and indigenous communities, children, adolescents, and pregnant or lactating women. The project joins forces with multisectoral national counterparts to fortify health and nutrition policies, bolstered by evidence-based decision-making. The ultimate goal is to amplify the impact of programs at the municipal and community levels, positively affecting health and nutrition indicators in prioritized areas.

The linchpin of success lies in the formulation and implementation of public policies, empowering governments to champion interventions that enhance sustainability, accountability, and access to comprehensive health and nutrition services. A crucial aspect involves fostering citizen participation, especially among affected populations. This entails defining and executing strategies, crafting operational plans equipped with monitoring tools, all geared toward ensuring comprehensive, sustainable care, safeguarding human rights, and promoting community engagement.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

With a commitment to international human rights agreements, the project endeavors to fortify public health policies, fostering equitable resource allocation for the HIV response. These collective actions will nurture political, social, and institutional sustainability, as governments pledge to earmark resources for prevention, care, and treatment, actively engaging civil society and the private sector. The project's core objectives encompass optimizing the efficient distribution of HIV resources in Central America, eradicating stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV, and guaranteeing high-quality health services that reflect user experiences.