1. PRESENTATION TO:
PAHO/WHO ‘KNOW YOUR STATUS’ WORKSHOP, SURINAME
21ST -22nd APRIL, 2005
VOLUNTARY COUNSELING &
TESTING SERVICES IN
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Izola Garcia
Information and Communications Management
Officer, The National AIDS Coordinating Committee
3. THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL
SITUATION IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
First reported HIV case was in 1983
Up to the end of 2004, there have been 14,536
reported HIV cases (cumulative)
At the end of 2003, it was estimated that there
were 20,000 people living with HIV.
70% of infections occur between ages 15 to 49
years
45% of new infections occur in females
In the 15-24 age group, 70% of the new infections
occur in females
Source: Ministry of Health, National Surveillance
Unit
4. ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
OF VCT
PMTCT 105 Health Centres
6 Hospitals (ALL)
STI Clinics QPCC & C
San Fernando General
Hospital
5 Outreach STI Clinics
6. SERVICES PROVIDED
Pre & Post test counseling- Maternal and Child Health
Clinics at Public Facilities
97 % of attendees are offered counseling
95 % of attendees are offered testing
Pre & Post test counseling at STI clinics—100% of
attendees
7. USE AND DEMAND OF SERVICES
Demand for VCT is high
Adhoc outreach at health facilities is high. This is due to the
awareness of HIV/AIDS as a disease and the population wanting
to know its status
Counseling and care are provided from nurses, doctors, medical
social workers, voluntary persons from non-governmental
organisations and faith-based organisations
Unfortunately, many of those tested do not return for their
results. (confidentiality, time lag)
Increased offerings at event-based and outreach VCT services.
E.g. World AIDS Day, Youth Day, Church fairs.
8. NUMBER OF PERSONS UNDER
ANTI-RETROVIRAL TREATMENT
PLWHAs TREATMENT & CARE ARV TREATMENT
TOBAGO
CHILDREN 20 14
ADULTS 90 70
EWMSC
CHILDREN *80 30
CYRIL ROSS 77 45
SFGH
ADULTS *307 300
CHILDREN *10 10
MRF 1981 1004
TOTAL 2565 1473
*estimated
9. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PEOPLE
NEEDING ANTI-RETROVIRAL
TREATMENT
3000-6000 persons
(15-30% of 20,000
estimated HIV
positive)
10. VCT INTO THE FUTURE OF
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
MEETING THE SOCIETY’S NEEDS
Baseline surveys and other research to further
assess needs and trends
NSP mandates free VCT services in every district
of Trinidad & Tobago
NGOs and FBOs becoming increasingly involved
Impending use of mobile VCT clinics to offer
service to rural areas and to provide greater
community access
Formalisation of national media campaign to
support VCT
Formalisation of National VCT policy