The Ministry of Health's National HIV/STI Control Programme is an expansion of the former STD Control Programme. The National Programme is geared at the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It advocates for and coordinates the input of all sectors of the Jamaican society, including the private and public sectors and non-government organisations (NGOs).

The National HIV/STI Programme started in 1988 as part of Jamaica’s response to the epidemic. At that point, there was a need to intensify the existing Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Control Programme, which had been established in 1930.

The National HIV/STI Programme uses a multi-sectoral approach in its fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections. This means that support for the programme comes from all sectors of Jamaican society including the private and public sectors as well as non-governmental organizations (NGO).

The Government of Jamaica, through a loan from the World Bank has expanded its support of the National HIV/STI Control Programme.

The United States Government through its development Agency, USAID, has been the lead international partner in supporting the National Programme with both financial and technical assistance. Other funding agencies such as the German Technical Corporation (GTZ), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), PAHO/WHO, CAREC, UNAIDS and other UN agencies have played significant roles in the development and progress of the programme.


Programme Goals:

* To build an effective multi-sectoral response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic
* To mitigate the socio-economic and health impact of HIV/AIDS in the society
* To decrease individual vulnerability to HIV infection
* To reduce the transmission of new HIV infection
* To improve care, support and treatment services of Persons Living withHIV/AIDS (PLWHA)





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