Delegates also talked about the possibility of following up and monitoring the impact of Brazil’s contribution to help ensure that the objectives are met. Laura Segall, an advisor to Brazil’s Aids programme for International Cooperation says the meeting was very objective and both sides are committed to satisfying the specific needs of each OECS Member Country in areas such as first line medicine.  She added that Brazil is working on making the ARVs available in the shortest possible time.

The Brazil Government Advisor acknowledged the capacity of the OECS Secretariat’s machinery to facilitate the distribution of the ARVs. “The Brazilian delegation was very impressed by everything that we saw here. We heard very clear and objective presentations of how your pharmaceutical logistics work and this is something that was very important for us on this visit to see how organised and how hard Caribbean Countries are working on this as well. We were very impressed with the level of commitment and the amount of work that is being put into the HIV/Aids struggle here.”-Segall

Segall also confirmed that Brazil’s pledge may be a two year commitment in the first instance and noted that a joint evaluation between the OECS and Brazil regarding the impact of Brazil’s contribution will inform the continuation of such assistance. The OECS HIV/AIDS Project Unit (OECSHAPU) and the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Service Unit (OECS/PPS) were part of the Secretariat team at Monday’s meeting with the Brazil delegation. Delegates from CARICOM, the Clinton Foundation, the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS PANCAP and UNAIDS were also involved in the discussions.

In June of this year the OECS Secretariat hosted a conference involving numerous stakeholders in the area of Antiretroviral or ARV Treatment for persons living with HIV and AIDS to scan the situation in the OECS and inform ways on improving ARV supply and management.