Improved services for HIV testing

Queensland’s Health Minister Lawrence Springborg today announced free HIV testing will be expanded across the State, as part of AIDS Awareness Week.

Minister Springborg said an after-hours, peer-based HIV testing clinic will commence early in 2014 from the ground floor of the Biala Community Health building in Roma Street.

“This free, rapid point-of-care testing clinic will be run by Community HIV Education and Prevention Officers and hosted by Queensland Positive People (QPP),” Mr Springborg said.

“Queensland Health is also supporting the introduction of HIV point-of-care testing in some GP clinics that see a high caseload of people at risk of HIV infection.”

Minister Springborg said the Government had inherited a situation where over the past decade, HIV rates had doubled.

Last year 206 Queenslanders were diagnosed with HIV infection, the highest figure since HIV figures were officially recorded in Queensland.

“The increased rate of infection is why this CanDo Newman Government has made a commitment to elevate HIV/AIDS as a priority health issue,” he said.

“The ‘E.N.D. H.I.V.’ campaign recognises HIV as a major health issue and aims to break down barriers that still surround the disease.

“In September this year I launched the Queensland HIV Strategy 2013-2015 which is designed to increase voluntary testing, increase treatment uptake and to address stigma and discrimination.

“The Newman Government is also pleased to support QPP to coordinate World AIDS Day and AIDS Awareness Week in 2013.

“We provided increased funding of $60,000 to assist QPP deliver activities aimed at reducing transmission of HIV through promoting testing and treatment.”

World AIDS Day on Sunday 1 December will also mark the official commencement of the new HIV Foundation Queensland.

“The foundation will provide advice to the Government on HIV/AIDS strategy, facilitate and promote research and ensure Queensland leads the nation’s fight to ‘E.N.D. H.I.V.’,” he said.

“The foundation will also monitor Queensland’s nation-leading free, point-of-care, rapid HIV testing program which has already reached 500 untested and most at risk Queenslanders since June.”

Parliament House, the Story Bridge, QPAC and Conrad Treasury will all turn red this week as part of AIDS Awareness Week to support the estimated 35 million people living with HIV and AIDS worldwide

[ENDS] 26 November 2013                                     

Media Contact: Alexandra Foley 0419 794 294