Access to HIV Services for Mobile and Migrant Populations in Antigua

NGO Focus Group Report
At a meeting held with the main NGOs in Antigua with the exception of CHAA (who
were unavailable), the following issues were raised and discussed:
What are some of the issues/challenges you face offering those services?
The challenges faced were many, but for most NGO’s finances was the biggest
problem, especially because the services offered were mostly free, except for
APPA.
Transportation was the second biggest problem as most NGO’s would like to be
able to transport the persons they support to medical appointments, etc. but founds
themselves unable to do so.
One participant stated she had received a donation of equipment to test viral load
and it was sitting in Puerto Rico for 3 years due to Government’s lack of vision,
initiative and support.
No national protocol for prophylactics – everyone does their own thing
District physicians are not available 24/7 so victims of sexual assault who are
attacked at night or early morning, must wait until the clinics open. If they go to
the hospital, they are not treated as an emergency.
Payment has to be made for post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if MSM’s or CSW’s
go to a private doctor.
Antenatal clinic is EC$100.00 so if pregnant mothers who are migrants, don’t
have the money, they do not find out their status.
MSM’s are not offered prophylactics.
Clinics and health centers ask for ID, so that members of the migrant population
cannot always access services. Some brothels keep their sex workers ID.
HIV+ persons have to pay for medical care for their opportunistic infections.
It is expensive to make phone calls to offer phone support/counselling and to
remind MARPS about their appointments, etc.
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