PAHO Caribbean HIV/STI Plan for the Health Sector, 2007 to 2011. A Strategy and Plan to Support Countries in Strengthening Health Systems to Maximize the Access, Quality, and Impact of HIV/STI Services

Abstract

PAHO’S STRATEGIC APPROACH FOR THE CARIBBEAN PAHO, in its supportive role to the Caribbean health sector in achieving its goals, has developed a Caribbean-specific plan called The PAHO Caribbean HIV/STI Plan for the Health Sector, 2007 to 2011. The plan is aligned with the overall strategies and targets endorsed by Caribbean Governments under the broader Regional HIV/STI Plan for the Health Sector, 2006–2015 for Latin America and the Caribbean. The present document describes proposed strategies that will be implemented by PAHO and its administered Caribbean Regional Health Institutions (CAREC and CFNI) to contribute to health-sector HIV efforts over the next five years. In supporting the health-sector HIV/STI responses in the Caribbean, PAHO will adhere to the following principles: 1_Adopt a Pan-Caribbean approach 2_Support decentralized implementation of strategies 3_Facilitate harmonized support by development partners 4_Promote sustainable health systems 5_Adopt a public-health approach 6_Facilitate evidence-based decision making PAHO is one of many development partners supporting HIV/STI efforts in the region. Based on its institutional strengths, it has identified four Critical Lines of Action (CLAs), as a means of structuring its HIV-related support over the next five years. PAHO has identified two issues related to sustainability: 1) the strength of the health system as a whole, and 2) the strength of the regional health institutions (CAREC and CFNI). PAHO is committed to leveraging HIV/STI resources in strategic ways to contribute to broader health system strengthening. Strategic partnerships with regional agencies and development partners are a major underpinning of the PAHO Caribbean Plan. Through those partnerships, PAHO hopes to strengthen health systems by the following means: a) mainstreaming HIV into existing health services, b) employing different modalities for identifying and responding to capacity gaps within the health sector, and c) fostering public health advocacy, leadership, and manage- [9 ment. PAHO also has specific plans to strengthen its Regional Health Institutions, CAREC and CFNI. Organizational development issues such as: 1) human resource development (recruitment of new staff, professional development/capacity building of existing staff ); 2) strengthening management systems (e.g., evidence-based planning, results-based management, strategizing and managing technical support to countries); 3) resource mobilization and advocacy for increased levels of local (i.e., national government) support will be addressed.