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Options wins DFID contract to support national AIDS programmes in the UK Overseas Territories |
Options will be working with the national AIDS programmes in the UK Overseas Territories of the Caribbean and South Atlantic over the next three years, to strengthen their capacity to support the planning and management of HIV and AIDS interventions and responses.
DFID is providing funds to support the UK Overseas Territories in the Caribbean (Bermuda, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Turks & Caicos Islands) and South Atlantic (St. Helena, Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha, Falkland Islands), to increase their capacity to take action against HIV and AIDS. In 2006, 250,000 people were living with HIV in the Caribbean region, and 27,000 new infections were diagnosed (UNAIDS 2006). Higher prevalence rates are found only in sub-Saharan Africa. Though there have been no reported cases of HIV and AIDS in the South Atlantic Islands, HIV poses a definite threat. HIV testing is thought to be very limited and there appears to be little perception of threat among the islanders. The overall goal of the project is a reduction in new HIV infections.
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