BUDGET BOOST TO PREVENT SEXUAL HEALTH DISEASE

The Bligh Government will spend an extra $8 million in the fight against sexually transmitted disease on improvements to treatment and early detection services as well education and prevention strategies.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the extra funding would tackle an increase in detected cases of Chlamydia and HIV and will enhance dedicated sexual health services in key growth locations such as Redcliffe-Caboolture and Logan-Beaudesert.

“The State Government has been spending at least $22 million a year under our whole-of-government Queensland HIV Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2005-2011,” Mr Robertson said.

“We’re building on this investment by injecting a further $2 million a year.

“We’re working hard to reduce the spread of serious diseases like Chlamydia and HIV which we know are on the rise in Queensland.

“Notifications of HIV and other Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs) have been increasing in Queensland, following national trends.”

HIV notifications rose from 142 in 2006 to an estimated 166 in 2007.

Chlamydia notifications rose by 68% from 7,565 in 2003 to 12,683 in 2007.

Queensland Health leads implementation of the whole-of-government Queensland HIV Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2005-2011. The Strategy aims to reduce transmission of HIV and other STIs and improve the management of these conditions.

In collaboration with funded non-government organisations, Queensland Health has developed an annual HIV Prevention Action Plan detailing those who are at the highest risk of HIV infection.

Queensland Health also operates 16 Sexual Health Clinics Statewide and a mobile sexual health service in Cape York that provides sexual health promotion, testing and treatment.

Queensland Health will receive an increase of $8 million over the next four years commencing in 2008/09 for additional HIV/AIDS and sexually transmissible infections prevention initiatives.

Specific initiatives include:

·Increased funding to community-based organisations for additional resources, projects and campaigns targeting those most at risk of HIV infection.

·Additional funds towards sexual health training for health care workers, in particular training for nurses to undertake specialist sexual health roles.

·Sexual health clinical services in areas of high population growth such as Redcliffe-Caboolture and Logan-Beaudesert will be further resourced with additional clinical staff.

·Other specialist nursing staff to be employed to support statewide initiatives.



3 June, 2008

MEDIA: JOSHUA COONEY 3234 1185