CMO in St. Lucia to discuss HIV and STIs

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Martin

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 19TH2012 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Patrick Martin has joined his regional counterparts in St. Lucia to discuss HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

That’s the focus at the first Special Meeting of Regional Chief Medical Officers from March 19 to 21.

The meeting, sponsored by the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) will also focus on preventing mother to child transmission, as a key priority for achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

During the three-day meeting, the CMOs are expected to look at the progress of the Elimination Initiative which is spearheaded by UNAIDS and the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), and the importance of case-based surveillance.

They are also expected to address issues related to laboratory support as part of a policy dialogue on health system strengthening.

CMOs from all CARICOM-member states are expected to attend the meeting along with officials from PANCAP, UNAIDS, PAHO and CAREC.