The HIV/TB Elimination Project at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission held a two-day workshop with regional stakeholders in St. Lucia last week, to develop an evidence-based approach to HIV treatment in the OECS through the implementation of surveys.
Over the past decade, increased access to and use of antiretroviral treatment (ART) has led to remarkable reductions in HIV-related morbidity, mortality, and incidence worldwide. With the increase of ART, however, the emergence of HIV drug resistance has become a concern in many regions.
HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) can be acquired among patients receiving ART due to treatment interruptions, poor adherence, or suboptimal drug combinations. HIVDR can hinder long term therapeutic success at the individual level and increase the risk for onward transmission of a drug resistant virus.
Ms. Lynette Hardy, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the HIV/TB Elimination Project at the OECS Commission, said that the generation of data on HIVDR is crucial for the sub region to make informed decisions on effective HIV treatment.