Dominican receives regional award for excellence in HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean  

Dominica’s efforts in dealing with HIV/AIDS have received regional recognition.

Coordinator of the National HIV/AIDS  Response program, Julie Frampton, on November 3rd 2014, received the award for Excellence in HIV/ AIDS in the Caribbean.

She was awarded during the opening ceremony of the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS ((PANCAP)) in Guadeloupe. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Helen Royer and Allison Samuel, Health Educator assigned to the HIV Unit, also attended the ceremony.

Frampton was nominated by the ministry of health in July 2014, in response to an announcement from PANCAP to formally honor “two (2) distinguished Caribbean nationals who have been deemed to have made significant contributions to the advancement of the regional response to HIV and AIDS over the past decade” at the organization’s 2014 awards..

The criteria for nomination included a description of the significant work(s) the individual has undertaken, the impact at national and/or regional level, significant endorsements the individual received and any other information deemed necessary

The Ministry of Health said Frampton was nominated because of the “extensive and exemplary work” which she did as Coordinator of HIV/AIDS for  over 10 years and “the relentless efforts in enhancing the care of persons living with HIV/AIDS, while at the same time advancing strategies for prevention.”

The ministry lists her accomplishments at a national level as including youth outreach programs, media programs, training of health professionals and others involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, development of rapid testing sites in Dominica and advocacy for an HIV services clinic, support for children of HIV parents and program funding.

According to the ministry, because of the level of work that has been done under the leadership of Frampton, “there is  now greater involvement of other stakeholders which has led to greater participation and ultimately support.”

Nationally, Frampton has served both as secretary and president of the Dominica Nurses Association as well as several other committees.

She was recognized for her national contribution in the fight for HIV/AIDS during the 2012 Public Service Excellence Award  in Dominica and was also recognized in 2014 by the Dominica Nurses Association.

In terms of her regional impact, Frampton currently sits on the Country Coordinating Mechanism,and the OECS Regional Coordinating Mechanism (RCM). She has served as secretary and vice chair of the Caribbean Coalition of National AIDS Programme Coordinators (CCNAPC) Board,  as member of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG)  team of PEPFAR II,   and as a member of of the PANCAP Priorities Coordinating Committee

She has represented Dominica at several forums both as participant and trainer  and has made representation which, according to the ministry of health, has resulted in greater support for national programs.

Her contribution regionally has led to her nomination as  Caribbean Health  leadership Institute (CHlI )mentor  from 2011 following her success in the program in 2010

In a statement, the ministry of health said that Frampton’s avid love and commitment for the profession has earned her the admiration of her peers nationally regionally and internationally and also the respect of her clients.

“The Ministry of Health and the Government of Dominica are  delighted  that Mrs Julie Frampton  has received the Award of Excellence in HIV and AIDS in the Carribbean  and congratulates her for the commitment and exemplary services for which Dominica has been lauded with commendation for excellent delivery of HIV/AIDS services .This has also contributed to Dominica being  selected as a model for many other countries because of the advancement in HIV/AIDS programming and  continues to be selected for piloting of  new projects  or  facilitating other countries,” the ministry said.

“The Ministry of Health also wishes to thank her family allowing her the time to provide such invaluable service and the HIV/AIDS response team for the support, which contributed to this laudable achievement,” the statement adds.