FEWER than half of the Jamaicans on antiretroviral treatment (ARTs), aimed at combating the spread of HIV/AIDS, were virally suppressed at the end of last year.

This relatively low number (46 per cent) could present challenges for Jamaica in its efforts to manage/contain the spread of HIV and, more worryingly, end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, a United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

The information on Jamaica’s HIV suppression rate is contained in the recently released 2024 edition of the the Planning Institute of Jamaica’s Economic and Social Survey Jamaica (ESSJ).

The UN estimates that about 30,000 Jamaicans are HIV-positive, with about 84 per cent knowing their status.

According to the ESSJ, the national treatment cascade, as at last December, shows that 90.0 per cent of all persons living with HIV knew their status, 75.0 per cent were linked to care, 62.0 per cent were retained in care, and 58.0 per cent retained on ARVs.

Public health experts say viral suppression helps the immune system stay strong and prevents illness.

People with suppressed viral loads are much less likely to transmit HIV to others through sexual activity or from mother to child during birth or breastfeeding.

This is sometimes referred to as “treatment as prevention” or “Undetectable = Untransmittable” (U=U). Viral suppression, in the context of HIV, means that the amount of HIV in a person’s blood (viral load) is reduced to a very low level, typically less than 200 copies per millilitre, due to taking HIV medication as prescribed.

This is often achieved by taking ART as directed. When the viral load is reduced to this point, it’s also sometimes referred to as an “undetectable” viral load.

The ESSJ outlines that Jamaica’s HIV/AIDS and other STI prevention and control initiatives — which are designed to incorporate more comprehensive and equitable access to HIV-related services — were implemented with the goal of reducing HIV transmission and eventually improving the country’s HIV treatment cascade.

Some of these initiatives included the expansion of HIV testing and early diagnosis; improved linkage to care; enhanced ART services; strengthened retention in care and adherence support; and strengthened prevention and education campaigns.

A significant milestone was achieved in May 2024 when the country achieved certification from the World Health Organization for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis.

“With the attainment of this certification, the country’s health system had to meet certain criteria, such as reducing the mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV to under 5.0 per cent; reporting fewer than 50 cases of congenital syphilis per 100,000 live births; as well as providing antenatal care and antiretroviral treatment to over 95.0 per cent of pregnant women,” said the ESSJ.

It added that, “This EMTCT certification emphasises the country’s commitment to improving the maternal and child health of the population, and aligns with SDG 3, which aims to end the epidemics of AIDS, TB (tuberculosis), malaria, and other neglected tropical diseases by 2030.”

Meanwhile, the programme dubbed Tek It To Dem, which was created by the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) in 2008 to target the homeless and other high-risk populations, such as drug users, female sex workers, and men who have sex with men (MSM), is now available in eight parishes.

The programme offers HIV and drug testing, as well as medical and social care, with the goal of improving the quality of life of the clients. A total of 551 people were reached, of which 81.5 per cent were tested for HIV and syphilis.

Some aspects of the programme, such as the HIV/STI testing, were no longer available in 2024 due to the transition of the NCDA into a department of the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Nonetheless, more than 97,000 people were reached by public education initiatives, including presentations and social media engagement.

The ESSJ said Jamaica’s national HIV/AIDS response continued to receive support from the Global Fund to the tune of approximately US$2.3 million in 2024.

“The national programme aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of people living with HIV by improving retention in care; expanding access to treatment, care, and support services at HIV treatment sites; and increasing access to ART,” said the survey.

“It also focuses on enhancing retention on ART for those already engaged in care, reducing HIV transmission through greater uptake of viral load testing, and boosting viral suppression rates among people living with HIV receiving ART,” it added.

During the year, the programme provided support through the provision of PrEP, mental health and psychosocial support to sex-workers; MSM; and other vulnerable groups. Funding from the Global Fund also assisted people living with HIV with support to become certified in skills such as housekeeping.

Under a joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), approximately US$2.4 million was disbursed to assist Jamaica in its continued fight against HIV/AIDS.

Said the survey, “The projects supported by UNAIDS sought to strengthen public health capacity, information systems, and promote community engagement. The entity also offered support to the project ‘People Living with HIV Stigma’, which seeks to gather information on stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV in Jamaica.”

This information is expected to inform the development and implementation of national policies, programmes, and legislation that will protect the rights of people living with HIV.

The ESSJ also reported that St James, Kingston, and St Andrew were the parishes with the most cases of HIV/AIDS.

HIV prevalence in Jamaica’s adult population is estimated to be around 1.7 per cent.