Health

HIV/AIDS: The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the U.S. Government initiative to help save the lives of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS around the world. This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally. PEPFAR is driven by a shared responsibility among donor,partner nations and other stakeholders to make smart investments to save lives.

Currently, there are an estimated 32,000 Jamaicans living with HIV  (UNAIDS Fact sheet 2020). In Jamaica, HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse. The prevalence in the general population is estimated at 1.4% (UNAIDS Fact sheet 2020); however surveys show higher HIV prevalence in key subpopulations, such as men who have sex with men, persons of a transgender experience, female sex workers, and prison inmates.

Though 86% of the estimated number of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) know their status in Jamaica, only 51% are on life saving antiretroviral treatment (ART), with 74% of those on treatment being virally suppressed (Ministry of Health and Wellness; Treatment Cascade July 2021).  It is therefore critical that USAID continues to support the GOJ through work with civil society and private sector organizations, to ensure that HIV prevention care and treatment is being addressed across the island.  USAID will continue to expand successful mobile and outreach HIV testing, and refine index testing approaches to identify and link more PLHIV to client centered treatment services. Retention in treatment will be improved through decentralized drug delivery, so that clients can access ART in convenient times and places and provide 3-6 months of treatment for stable patients.

COVID-19: Since the onset of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in 2020, USAID has provided more than $7.5 million in direct COVID-19 relief to Jamaica, including support for Jamaica’s efforts to vaccinate people quickly and safely. In addition, support has been given to public education, critical and emergency services and equipment, educational tools in the absence of face-to-face classes, and assistance to vulnerable youth, families, and communities--addressing issues such as child abuse and domestic violence.