Guyana

Key Results in 2022-2023

HIV prevention and testing services were scaled up, including pre-exposure prophylaxis and gender-violence prevention services for young people and key populations.
Services for the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV were strengthened through capacity building of healthcare providers on revised national protocols.
Nearly 300 people including law officials and health professionals received training or information on stigma and discrimination.
A total of 360 women from vulnerable and key populations were empowered to improve gender-based violence case detection and care within their communities.

Joint Programme Results

With the Joint Programme’s strategic support, Guyana remains committed to reducing new HIV infections and upholding the rights of its citizens to healthcare, while ensuring the sustainability of the national HIV response. For instance, the Government increased government spending for health thanks to the intense advocacy and technical support from the Joint Programme (UNAIDS Secretariat).

Pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis were introduced in 15 sites and 61 people from key populations accessed these services in 2023 (WHO). A total of 240 sex workers from Region-10 accessed HIV testing services and information on HIV, COVID-19 and gender-based violence prevention, and received 7500 condoms through a sex worker peer outreach initiative supported by the Joint Programme (UNFPA). Another outreach initiative in bars, clubs, sex venues and other public places further reached 70 people, including adolescents and young people with messages on HIV prevention (UNFPA). Besides, a total of 54 peer educators were trained to improve HIV and syphilis knowledge among young people, while five peer educators were mobilized to promote proper and consistent use of condoms among adolescent and young people on social media platforms (UNICEF, UNFPA).

HIV incidence per 1000 uninfected populations

Source: AIDSinfo

AIDS mortality per 1000 population

Source: AIDSinfo

Progress towards 95-95-95 targets

Source: AIDSinfo

Access to and quality of services for the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis were improved through the training of 30 healthcare providers on the revised national vertical transmission guidelines, as well as on immunisation services for HIV-exposed infants. With the Joint Programme’s support, community case trackers provided psychosocial support to link 135 pregnant women and 30 mothers living with HIV and their infants who were lost to follow-up back to treatment and care services (UNICEF). Similarly, 323 people living with HIV who defaulted from treatment services were traced and returned to care through an online tracking initiative which focussed on mental health, job security and nutrition (WHO).

The national policy on HIV in the workplace was updated to address stigma and discrimination during a multi-stakeholder consultation which galvanized 44 representatives from various sectors, including ministries, hospitals, armed forces, trade unions, insurance companies and networks of people living with HIV (UNDP). A total of 193 law enforcement officers from ten police divisions had orientation on HIV, stigma, discrimination and human rights violations against people from key populations. The officers also developed strategies to collaborate with underserved communities and improve policing practices and responses. In addition, 103 healthcare providers, gay men and other men who have sex with men and transgender persons from three regions also improved their knowledge of these topics through awareness creation workshops (UNDP, UNAIDS Secretariat).

A total of 360 women from vulnerable and key populations were empowered to identify, manage and refer gender-based violence cases in the upper and central Corentyne areas. These women also accessed HIV counselling and testing services, while 70 of them received nutritional support to overcome the impact of COVID-19, raising food prices and unemployment (UNDP, UNAIDS Secretariat).

The Joint Programme also supported the delivery of HIV services in humanitarian settings. A total of 79 forcibly displaced persons and 3980 people from host communities in remote mining areas of Region-8 received HIV and sexually transmitted infections screening, hygiene kits, and referral to treatment services in collaboration with government and civil society organizations (UNCHR).