| From an investment of zero dollars in 1989, Guyana’s investment in the fight against HIV/AIDS has mounted to more than US$2B on an annual basis. This is according to Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy.But this was no fault of those in authority at the time the Minister said. He pointed out that at that time the vast majority of countries in the Region and around the world did not see the need to invest in this regard.“In 1989 we invested the grant sum of zero dollars in the fight of HIV because then Guyana did not see HIV as a public health threat, at least not in our setting…This is not a criticism of those who were in authority….”According to Minister Ramsammy,Andrew Franks Dolphins Jersey, it was only in 1987 that the President of the United States had decided to make his first statement on HIV.Dr. Ramsammy disclosed that Governments around the world were not attuned to the HIV pandemic which was emerging even in 1989. This is one area, he noted, where Non-Governmental Organisations and people living with the disease were able to make a big difference and were thus able to propel some level of change in this regard.He revealed that in 1989 about US$200m per year was expended among developing countries, an amount which had increased slightly to $250M per year in 1996. However by last year this sum had increased phenomenally to $10B per year.“Most of that mobilisation had started around 2003. We recognize the impact of the World Bank Map (Multi-Country HIV/AIDS) Programme and it was in 2003 that PEPFAR also came on board…it was the biggest investment for any public health response in the history of the world,” Minister Ramsammy emphasised.With the introduction of PEPFAR, the Minister revealed that close to US$18B was committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS, an amount which has since increased substantially.“When PEPFAR came on board in 2003 it was the biggest investment for any public health response in the history of the world. As we all know over the years it has increased,Deion Sanders Falcons Jersey UK, and at this point I think it is about US$60B over the life of this programme…and then Global Fund also entered… since then UNITAID, the Clinton Foundation and stuck between MAP and PEPFAR. I should not forget the incredible philanthropic work of Bill and Melinda Gates.”The findings of the HIV/AIDS Programme Sustainability Analysis Tool (HAPSAT) which was funded by USAID, has achieved universal access in many of the key HIV series, including antiretroviral treatment (ART),Pat Tillman Cardinals Throwback Jersey, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV treatment, support for orphans and vulnerable children, blood screening, HIV/Tuberculosis treatment as well as comprehensive care and support for people living with HIV.It has been deduced that there is a need to ensure that the high levels of coverage are maintained. Additionally,Alexis Sanchez Arsenal Jersey UK, it has been noted that the ART programme is estimated to cost US$8M this year, decreasing to between US$5.4M and US$5.8M in 2011 through 2015. The annual cost for maintaining universal access to PMTCT treatment will be between US$69,World Baseball Classic Jerseys 2017,300 and US$81,000 in 2011 through 2015.The HAPSAT also speaks to the provision of HIV testing and counseling to populations at higher risk and HIV counseling and testing to all pregnant women and blood donors with an annual cost ranging between US$603,J.R. Smith Jersey,000 and US$691,000 from 2011 through 2015. |
