CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF HIV
In fulfilling its mandate to build capacity of National AIDS Programme (NAP) Managers and representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs), the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) sponsored and supported 18 clinical and public health practitioners to successfully complete an eight-week online course with the University of Washington on the Clinical Management of HIV.
Funding for this initiative came from the PANCAP USAID Project funded by the Caribbean Regional PEPFAR Programme based in Jamaica. The course commenced on April 5 and concluded on June 13, 2021.
Participants are medical practitioners, programme managers, public health practitioners, a medex, and a nurse and came from the Guyana Ministry of Health, CARICOM/PANCAP, Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), and Guyana private health sector- St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, and Davis Memorial Hospital.
The course was virtual, and sessions were asynchronous. PANCAP was approved by the University of Washington to serve as a learning site for this cohort of learners. All committed 6-9 hours per week for learning with required group sessions. As the coordinating site, PANCAP facilitated virtual learning sessions where participants discussed and shared how the course content was applicable to the local context. Very often, this was done in the form of clinical case presentations.
The course provided a global perspective on the diagnoses and clinical management of HIV. Participants learned from experts in the field, who provided real-world examples of diagnosing and treating HIV and STIs.
- Diagnosing HIV and the Initial Evaluation of HIV-Infected patient
- Opportunistic Infections 1: Non-Neuro, non-TB
- Introduction to Antiretroviral Therapy
- Opportunistic Infections 2: TB, Cryptococcus, Toxoplasmosis and Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
- HIV-associated Malignancies & Dermatology.
- Antiretrovirals: Adverse Effects, Drug Resistance, and Drug Interactions
- Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections in HIV-infected Patients
- Pediatric HIV
- Post-exposure Prophylaxis for HIV and Preventive Care
- HIV Vertical Transmission and Pregnancy
Participants' feedback was positive in respect to all aspects of the training. For some, the course provided a solid foundation in HIV clinical management. Others valued the new evidence that was shared in relation to TB and other opportunistic infections. All participants were very satisfied with the coordinating and supporting role of PANCAP.
CERTIFICATE AWARD CEREMONY
A certificate award ceremony was held on Friday, October 1, 2021 at the Duke Lodge, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana.
Dr. Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary-General, Directorate of Human and Social Development, CARICOM Secretariat, H.E. Sarah-Ann Lynch, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Honourable Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana congratulated awardees on their successful completion of the course and urged that the knowledge gained be used to improve care for people living with HIV.
The CARICOM Secretariat, PANCAP and USAID were praised by Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, Guyana, during his feature address. He underscored the importance of using the PANCAP initiative as an example of continuing programme implementation to end AIDS despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19.
The Minister of Health further praised the content of the course and stated that the inclusion of modules on Hepatitis B and C aligned with the Ministry of Health’s upcoming capacity building on the treatment of Hepatitis C.
Importantly, Dr. Anthony highlighted that vaccination numbers for eligible People Living with HIV (PLHIV) were low. He attributed this to misinformation within the PLHIV community regarding the safety of the vaccines. He challenged the 18 certificate recipients to encourage PLHIV to get vaccinated by presenting facts on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr. Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, CARICOM Secretariat, delivered congratulations on behalf of Dr Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). He echoed the sentiments of Dr. Anthony and praised the initiative for prioritising knowledge sharing and learning among Public Health Practitioners despite the challenges of COVID-19.
HIV and COVID-19 have taught us many lessons; pivotal to combating both is providing consistent opportunities for learning and capacity building for our front-line workers, doctors, nurses, and other public health workers. PANCAP, with the support of the U.S. Government, USAID and through collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has taken a positive step towards this.
Dr. Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, CARICOM Secretariat
Dr. Slater concluded by commending the PANCAP Knowledge Management hub for identifying and leveraging the Global Health E-Learning Program at the University of Washington. He also encouraged PANCAP to share the success story with the Region as many Public Health institutions continue to search for strategies and approaches for virtual learning. “Let this be a shining beacon of the progress the Region can achieve when we strategically collaborate and take full advantage of the fantastic opportunities of the virtual world”, stated Dr. Slater.
Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, United States Ambassador to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, stated that the USAID Jamaica Office was proud to sponsor the initiative and praised the collaboration between USAID, CARICOM, and the Ministry of Health. She highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing and capacity building to the development of Guyana’s health sector. She emphasised that the U.S. Government was pleased to be part of the process.
The Ambassador stated that the commitment by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to combat HIV is evidenced by the more than 185 Million United States Dollars provided in funding to Guyana since 2004. She also highlighted that the partnership has resulted in significant strides in HIV prevention, treatment and care in Guyana. The Ambassador was pleased to share that the PEPFAR programme received a two-year extension through the hard work of USAID and the Ministry of Health to help Guyana further its accomplishments in ending AIDS.
Ambassador Lynch concluded by congratulating the certificate recipients for having the vision of ending AIDS and stated that the U. S. Government remains committed to working with the Ministry of Health, CARICOM and the private sector to help this become a reality in Guyana.
Dr Rosmond Adams, Director, PANCAP, reiterated PANCAP’s commitment to building the capacity of Public Health Practitioners working in HIV prevention, treatment and care. Dr. Rosmond Adams also participated in the course.
TESTIMONIALS FROM PARTICIPANTS
At the award ceremony, Dr. Mallika Mootoo, Paediatrician and HIV specialist from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and Dr. Abiola Jacobs, Director of the National Care and Treatment Center provided reflections on the course. Other participants also expressed their appreciation for this opportunity to participate in the course.
The NCTC being the largest HIV/STI site in Guyana was privileged and honored to have some of our senior physicians be part of the course. A particular aspect that stood out to us was the identification of common viral mutations which helped in the selection of particular regimens for patients. The course brought a further sense of satisfaction knowing that we offer the best available care to our clients.
Thanks to the PANCAP team, the Ministry of Health and USAID for this great initiative.
Dr. Abiola Jacobs, Director, National Care and Treatment Center, Ministry of Health, Guyana
The course covered a wide range of topics by expert teaching staff with expereince in both resource rich and limited settings. The use of technology for group meetings, discussions and debates, case presentations and knowledge sharing worked well. I particularly like the patient focused approach to HIV clinical management. We have started involving patients in deciding their care and treatment regimens at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, with good outcomes. I think the modules on women's health was critical as it made us more aware of the disparity in care especially among women of colour.
Dr. Mallika Mootoo, Paediatrician, HIV Physician, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
The design of the course where the modules were released week by week and the vast information that was available and accessible by the numerous links really made studying easier. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to be a candidate of this course.
Dr. Gemma Seunandan, HIV Physician, Ministry of Health, Guyana
Acknowledgement
We express our appreciation to USAID for funding this activity. Thanks to the Honourable Dr. Frank Anthony and the Ministry of Health, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital=, Davis Memorial Hospital, and SASOD for this collaboration.
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