U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt has lauded the work of the Guyana Business Coalition on HIV/ AIDS (GBCHA) for its sustained efforts in reducing the disease while mobilising resources through the local private sector even as donor funds dry up.
Hardt was delivering key remarks at the coalition’s private corporate breakfast earlier this month at the Pegasus Hotel.
Hardt, who commended the coalition for its efforts in leveraging resources from the private sector to match existing donor funds, said “In 2008, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched a partnership to combat HIV/ AIDS with Guyana’s private sector. It did so out of recognition that private companies must play a central role in a successful and sustained response to the disease.”
Partnership
Following a four-year partnership, USAID made the decision in March 2012 to transition its private sector HIV/ AIDS support programme to the ownership of the Guyana Business Coalition on HIV/ AIDS.
This decision was based on the confidence the coalition had the in-house capacity to manage these programmes successfully.
“I am pleased to say today that over the past 18 months, the private sector did not disappoint. In fact, you have continued to leverage the resources necessary to sustain these critical activities,” Ambassador Hardt said in his remarks.
Ambassador Hardt stated that the coalition served as a model for the country and the region while reminding the gathering that “creating an AIDS-free generation was a shared responsibility.”
The breakfast meeting, held on December 10, focused on the theme “Inspiring Compassionate Leadership in the Workplace and Beyond”.
The participants, who included members of the diplomatic corps and private sector representatives, were welcomed by GBCHA Vice Chairperson Delmar Tobin.
The meeting was a time for members to reflect on the successes of the local private sector in response to HIV and to address the issues of “country ownership” in regard to the changing HIV/ AIDS response.
In his opening remarks, Tobin reminded the audience that the private sector played a key role in HIV prevention programmes through their workplace programmes. He encouraged attendees to stay committed to the fight against HIV/ AIDS in the workplace, community and at the national level by continuing their support of the National AIDS Programme (NAPS) and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) that are engaged in helping to reduce and prevent HIV/ AIDS.
Progress
Tobin highlighted the progress made in the reduction of stigma and discrimination over the years and called on partners in the private sector to continue to seek collaborative and innovative ways to fill the resource gap which exists.
The GBCHA vice-chair also thanked members of the coalition and international partners like the United States Agency for International Development/ President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (USAID/ PEPFAR) for investing in the GBCHA which now fosters partnerships with members and other stakeholders.
Tobin pointed out that while the GBCHA will continue to forge partnerships in the multi- sectoral response to HIV, the organisation has also used the lessons learnt in its HIV prevention programmes to address gender-based violence and other issues.
He disclosed that this expanded mission has initiated discussion about a potential name change for the organisation as it continues in its transition to expand its mission beyond HIV/ AIDS.
During the meeting, there was also a panel discussion moderated by the GBCHA Executive Director Suzanne French. Panellists included UNAID Country Director, Dr Roberto Campos; USAID Population, Health and Nutrition Officer, Dr Oleksander Cherkas; International Labour Organisation Project Coordinator Sean Wilson; and Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) Coordinating Unit Director Dereck Springer.
Response
The moderator opened the brief session by stating that as the response to HIV evolves, the terms “country ownership” and “sustainable response” were more frequently used. The panel was asked to envisage the role of the private sector in country ownership and sustainability.
What can the private sector do to advance country ownership and sustainability? Dr Campos began his response by reflecting on the feeling of hope that is evident today as compared to 15 years ago.
He urged that investment be made now in order to end AIDS. Dr Campos said sustainability of the gains so far should be made a priority.
