QUEENSLAND STEPPING UP FIGHT AGAINST HIV
Published Monday, 23 October, 2006 at 01:45 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Queensland is making strides in the fight against sexually transmissible and blood borne viral infections through more than 100 State Government-funded activities and initiatives, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson said State Cabinet considered the first progress report on the Queensland HIV, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2005-2011.
“It has been more than 20 years since the first diagnosis of HIV in Queensland, but it is concerning that we are following a national trend where the rates of diagnoses have been increasing annually in recent years,” Mr Robertson said.
“Queensland is the only state to have a co-ordinated whole-of-government strategy to tackle HIV and other sexually transmissible and blood borne viral infections in our community.
“The State Government commits nearly $22 million annually to treat and care for Queenslanders diagnosed with HIV and other infections and to foster sexually healthy communities.
“Today’s report details significant progress since Cabinet approved the strategy in July last year with a comprehensive package focussing on supportive environments, education and prevention, early detection and appropriate care and treatment, training a skilled workforce, and research.
“Queensland Health is leading the strategy with valuable support from other government and non-government organisations.
“Queensland Health spent $20.4 million in 2005-06 on strategy initiatives including 16 sexual health clinics throughout the state and providing $6.5 million in funding to non-government groups.”
Mr Robertson said the report also detailed disturbing statistics showing Queensland is following a national trend of rising infection rates of HIV, gonorrhoea and Chlamydia.
“In 2005, Queensland recorded 150 new HIV diagnoses, up 55 percent since 2001. The majority of these people are homosexual men,” he said.
“State Government agencies or government-funded agencies are now treating and supporting 1,556 Queenslanders with HIV/AIDs.
“Rates of gonorrhoea increased from 31 to 36 per 100,000 population between 2004 and 2005.
“Chlamydia remains the most common sexually transmissible infection with diagnoses increasing from 155 per 100,000 population in 2001 to 245 per 100,000.
“Other states are recording similar, if not worse, statistics.
“It is concerning that people are still not practising safe sex.
“It is impossible to measure the effectiveness of Government initiatives based on these statistics because our strategy only commenced last year. This is a six-year program.
“The next progress report should provide a better indication of whether we are making any inroads.”
Mr Robertson said today’s report documented the significant amount of work being done in Queensland to address this problem.
“For example Queensland Health is currently developing a new safe sex awareness campaign which will target sexually active young people and gay men under 45 years,” he said.
“Last year we also allocated an additional $100,000 towards a new HIV Prevention Action Plan, rolling out local-level campaigns and promoting services for gay men’s access to services and treatments to prevent HIV infection.
“We have again allocated an additional $100,000 to continue the Action Plan.
“However, this is clearly a national problem which requires national attention.
“That is why I am writing to Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott about the need to increase national funding for HIV prevention activities and will seek to put the issue on the Health Ministers’ agenda.
“It has been at least five years since the Federal Government put in any extra funding for HIV prevention.”
The Queensland HIV, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmissible Infection Strategy 2005 – 2011 and the progress report are available on the Queensland Health website: www.health.qld.gov.au.
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185
Mr Robertson said State Cabinet considered the first progress report on the Queensland HIV, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2005-2011.
“It has been more than 20 years since the first diagnosis of HIV in Queensland, but it is concerning that we are following a national trend where the rates of diagnoses have been increasing annually in recent years,” Mr Robertson said.
“Queensland is the only state to have a co-ordinated whole-of-government strategy to tackle HIV and other sexually transmissible and blood borne viral infections in our community.
“The State Government commits nearly $22 million annually to treat and care for Queenslanders diagnosed with HIV and other infections and to foster sexually healthy communities.
“Today’s report details significant progress since Cabinet approved the strategy in July last year with a comprehensive package focussing on supportive environments, education and prevention, early detection and appropriate care and treatment, training a skilled workforce, and research.
“Queensland Health is leading the strategy with valuable support from other government and non-government organisations.
“Queensland Health spent $20.4 million in 2005-06 on strategy initiatives including 16 sexual health clinics throughout the state and providing $6.5 million in funding to non-government groups.”
Mr Robertson said the report also detailed disturbing statistics showing Queensland is following a national trend of rising infection rates of HIV, gonorrhoea and Chlamydia.
“In 2005, Queensland recorded 150 new HIV diagnoses, up 55 percent since 2001. The majority of these people are homosexual men,” he said.
“State Government agencies or government-funded agencies are now treating and supporting 1,556 Queenslanders with HIV/AIDs.
“Rates of gonorrhoea increased from 31 to 36 per 100,000 population between 2004 and 2005.
“Chlamydia remains the most common sexually transmissible infection with diagnoses increasing from 155 per 100,000 population in 2001 to 245 per 100,000.
“Other states are recording similar, if not worse, statistics.
“It is concerning that people are still not practising safe sex.
“It is impossible to measure the effectiveness of Government initiatives based on these statistics because our strategy only commenced last year. This is a six-year program.
“The next progress report should provide a better indication of whether we are making any inroads.”
Mr Robertson said today’s report documented the significant amount of work being done in Queensland to address this problem.
“For example Queensland Health is currently developing a new safe sex awareness campaign which will target sexually active young people and gay men under 45 years,” he said.
“Last year we also allocated an additional $100,000 towards a new HIV Prevention Action Plan, rolling out local-level campaigns and promoting services for gay men’s access to services and treatments to prevent HIV infection.
“We have again allocated an additional $100,000 to continue the Action Plan.
“However, this is clearly a national problem which requires national attention.
“That is why I am writing to Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott about the need to increase national funding for HIV prevention activities and will seek to put the issue on the Health Ministers’ agenda.
“It has been at least five years since the Federal Government put in any extra funding for HIV prevention.”
The Queensland HIV, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmissible Infection Strategy 2005 – 2011 and the progress report are available on the Queensland Health website: www.health.qld.gov.au.
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185