AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Mar 30, CMC –The Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam) will host a pioneering South-to-South Learning Exchange, from March 31 to April 4, 2025, bringing together Caribbean public health leaders, clinicians, and civil society advocates.
This event, supported by The Global Fund, PANCAP, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), aims to strengthen HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention strategies in the Caribbean by fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and cross-regional partnerships.
The exchange will highlight GGD Amsterdam’s cutting-edge approaches to HIV prevention and care, particularly in the areas of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), including Long-Acting PrEP, HIV testing, Doxy PEP, transgender healthcare, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into service delivery.
Participants from Barbados, Belize, The Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago will have the opportunity to explore GGD Amsterdam’s clinics, where they will observe patient intake systems, STI/HIV testing protocols, and partnerships with local organizations providing HIV services. These site visits will offer valuable insights into effective strategies for improving healthcare delivery.
In addition to site visits, participants will engage in innovation workshops that focus on the role of AI, Integrated Communication Technologies (ICTs), and data-driven approaches in enhancing HIV prevention and care. By leveraging technology, public health officials can streamline services and improve outreach to key populations.
Another significant component of the exchange will be the vision board development sessions, where attendees will collaborate on country-specific action plans. These plans will aim to address challenges in PrEP rollout, reduce stigma surrounding HIV, and promote equitable access to healthcare services.
The exchange will be led by Professor Dr. Henry de Vries, a renowned expert in STI/HIV epidemiology with over 30 years of experience. Alongside GGD Amsterdam’s leadership and technical teams, participants will gain insights into patient flow management, clinical service organization, and community outreach models.
The event will also facilitate direct engagement with GGD Amsterdam’s partners, allowing Caribbean leaders to explore effective collaboration frameworks. This hands-on engagement will provide invaluable lessons on how multi-sector partnerships contribute to successful HIV prevention strategies.
A core objective of the exchange is to equip participants with actionable strategies to enhance national HIV programs. These strategies will focus on scaling up access to PrEP and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP), strengthening collaboration with civil society organizations, and integrating viral hepatitis and HPV care into HIV services.
By addressing these key areas, the exchange aims to create a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to HIV prevention and treatment across the Caribbean.
“This South-to-South exchange will empower participants to absorb GGD Amsterdam’s proven strategies—from AI-driven service delivery to equitable PrEP access—while fostering hands-on learning in transgender care, STI integration, and community-led partnerships,” said Dr. Shanti Singh Anthony, Coordinator, Knowledge Management at the PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU). “This is not just knowledge transfer—it’s about building lasting partnerships in the global fight against HIV.”
Dr. Wendy Telgt Emanuelson, Director of the PCU, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Empowering Caribbean leaders with Amsterdam’s expertise will undoubtedly help to fast-track our region’s progress toward ending AIDS. This exchange presents a unique opportunity to bridge Amsterdam’s innovative strategies with the Caribbean’s resilience, catalyzing progress in our shared goal of eliminating AIDS as a public health threat.”
Following the event, PANCAP will conduct follow-up assessments with participants at three- and six-month intervals to evaluate the implementation of their action plans.
CMC/nb/2025