PANCAP concludes successful Justice for All Mission in Haiti

The PANCAP Coordinating Unit, in collaboration with UNAIDS and the United Nations Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean, coordinated a three-day mission in Haiti on November 22-25, 2015. It resulted in a cross section of Stakeholders supporting the implementation of the 15 elements of the Justice for All (JFA) Roadmap intended to fast track the end of AIDS by 2030.  Consultations were held with the UN Regional Coordinator and with a core group of parliamentarians, currently comprising the Parliamentary Health Commission, 32 faith leaders representing a variety of denominations and 15 representatives of Civil  Society.

All groups agreed that among the eight elements of the JFA roadmap that can be completed by the end of 2016, the most challenging for Haiti is the elimination of mother to child transmission.  Haiti is working on an innovative training scheme for community nurses and midwives coordinated by PAHO/WHO, designed to support prenatal and antenatal care. Its success depends on continuing technical and financial support.

The consultations recognised that among the key prospects for ending the AIDS epidemic is testing and treating people living with HIV and AIDS and ensuring their access to affordable medicines, this however requires sustainable financing. Consequently, it was agreed that emphasis must also be placed on prevention which involves a multi sectoral approach including age appropriate sexual education in schools, churches and community groups

The Parliamentary Group undertook to fast track the enactment of the Health Law when the Parliament convenes in January- February 2016. The health law was drafted by the Ministry of Health in 2013 following wide scale consultations in Haiti.  The parliamentary group agreed to explore the possibility of including AIDS as a precondition for Health Insurance and other features of social protection related to universal health coverage. These are essential components of the medium-term elements of JFA

All groups supported the proposals for eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination, noting that the disproportionate impact on the poor, vulnerable groups, including young women and children requires special attention

Unlike other Caribbean countries, Haiti does not have a punitive law against same sex relations but Faith Leaders and parliamentarians were very conscious of the need to respect cultural, moral and religious norms.  The representatives of the Voodoo religion were particularly concerned with the stigmatisation and discrimination against its members because of its liberal approach to family and social practices.

The Faith Leaders session proposed the organisation of a steering Committee chaired by Pastor Clement Joseph, Director Social Mission of Haitian Churches (MISSEH) to discuss how best FBOs in Haiti can contribute to ending the AIDS epidemic.  The priorities would include the FBOs as supporting environments for family values and those in need; and for counselling, educational,  training,  prevention and treatment services based on volunteerism and trust