No time to waste in implementing second regional strategy on HIV and other STIs
Press Release #1109-31
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
November 24, 2009

SPC Press Release
Tuesday 24 November 2009, Suva – Key partners in the implementation of the Pacific Regional Strategy on HIV and other STIs (sexually transmitted infections) ended their annual two-day planning meeting with a call to use evidence from the surveillance data collected over the last five years and findings of recent evaluations as a basis for future action.

 “We’ve come a long way since 2004,” said Dr Dennie Iniakwala, head of the HIV & STI Section at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). “Now, thanks to the information gathered through ongoing collection of epidemiological data and regular monitoring and evaluation of our programmes, we’re in a far better position to know what works and which areas need more attention.”

The Pacific Regional Strategy on HIV & other STIs was endorsed in 2007 by Pacific Island Forum leaders. Implementation of the five-year strategy began this year, following on from the 2004–2008 Regional Strategy on HIV/AIDS.  It aims to reduce the number of new HIV and other STI infections, to improve care and treatment for people living with HIV and to fight stigmatisation, discrimination and other human rights abuses.

“The new regional strategy has many similarities to the first strategy, but it is heavily influenced by evidence of a trend towards increasing levels of other STIs, in particular chlamydia and gonorrhoea,” said Dr Iniakwala. “The prevalence of these infections is a major concern. In some Pacific countries, the rate of chlamydia in pregnant women is among the highest in the world.”

Chlamydia can potentially cause eye infections and pneumonia in newborns and if untreated can lead to infertility in women. Chlamydia infection facilitates the spread of HIV and its high incidence indicates that condoms are not being used in multiple partner or high risk situations.

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing and treatment programmes have now been established in 11 countries in the Pacific, based on the results of data from the second-generation surveillance surveys conducted by SPC and WHO (World Health Organization) since 2004. More epidemiological studies are currently underway to ensure that any new prevention and testing programmes are appropriately targeted and as effective as possible.

The meeting was convened by SPC and UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS), which coordinate the implementation of the regional strategy. The implementation plan includes participation by all of SPC’s 22 Pacific Island member countries and territories, development partners such as media and faith-based organisations, people living with HIV, civil society organisations, donors, UN agencies, associations of heath care workers, and others. It is funded through the Pacific Islands HIV & STI Response Fund, which is supported by AusAID and NZAID and other donors and financing mechanisms including the Asian Development Bank and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

“This meeting is an opportunity to add value to what we are proposing to do in the next five years and to improve how we carry out our core business in the region to ensure an impact in the countries that we are committed to,” said Stuart Watson, UNAIDS Pacific Programme coordinator.

The meeting was held in Suva, Fiji, on the 19 and 20 November 2009.  (FSM is being represented by Dr. Dorina Fred of Chuuk State.)

For more information, please contact Dr Dennie Iniakwala, Section Head, HIV & STI Section, SPC,
Email: DennieI@spc.int, ph: (679) 337 9369 or Nicole Gooch, HIV & STI Section, SPC, email: NicoleG@spc.int