Access to HIV Services for Mobile and Migrant Populations in Antigua

He does not plan to offer any services to any specific populations who are perceived to be
at risk because he believes that everyone should be treated the same. He sees
approximately 150 persons monthly.
Grupo de Apoyo al Poder (GAAP) Support Group
This support group meets twice monthly at the Gender Affairs Office and members take
turns facilitating the meetings. It is made up of Spanish-Speaking sex workers and the
main aims are for support and capacity building. The group is sponsored by COIN.
While many of the discussions focus on safe sex, minimizing risky behaviour, and
sharing their experiences with each other, they have also had training in human
trafficking, etiquette and other important areas.
This group has regular access to the local Spanish radio station, which in 2009, received a
grant from PANCAP and was able to get a spot to play regular programming information
from the Dominican Republic. As a result of this public education initiative, one member
reports that there has been improvement in the migrant population’s access to service as
they were given guidance on where to go for specific services.
Conclusions of the stakeholder interviews
It is apparent from the numerous stakeholder interviews that some of the organizations
that have the widest reach to the migrant populations, does not do much to address some
of their vulnerabilities. This could be because of their job mandate and limitations. For
example, quite a number of the migrant population utilized the services of the
Immigration Department and Ministry of Labour but there is no pamphlet or poster or no
other visual or other aid to reach out to them that speak to their social or health needs.
The AIDS Secretariat (NAP office) has been the forerunner in testing and the output of
information related to HIV and AIDS. One of their main challenges include lack of
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