Released 23/06/2016
A plan to address hepatitis B, C, HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) cases in the ACT and increase access to sexual health services has been released today by Assistant Minister for Health Meegan Fitzharris.
The ACT Statement of Priorities (2016-2020) outlines the ACT Government’s commitment to expanding access to services, including prevention and treatment to meet a range of national targets across hepatitis B, C, HIV and STIs.
The framework is backed up by the allocation of $1.3 million over four years in the 2016-17 ACT Budget to improve access to sexual health services and blood borne virus vaccination, testing and treatment services to the most vulnerable Canberrans and those at risk of infection.
“The ACT Statement of Priorities is a localised response to the National Strategies for reducing infection rates and stigma associated with blood borne viruses. This written commitment is a plan to achieve measureable results against goals and targets agreed upon at a national level,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“Our 2016-2020 targets focus on reduced transmission, infection and morbidity rate of hepatitis B, C, HIV and STIs, and actively engaging with affected and at risk communities to minimise the associated personal and social impacts.
“While prevention has always been the foundation of all responses to hepatitis B, C, HIV and STIs, the ACT’s priorities over the next four years will focus on six key areas: prevention; testing; management, care and support; workforce; enabling environment; and surveillance, research and evaluation.
“The ACT will also focus on new and innovative programs and clinical trials designed to reduce the prevalence and transmission of these diseases. For example, the ACT is working to take part in the University of NSW Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) trial, which offers a therapy designed to prevent HIV infection in high-risk populations.
“Through this investment and our collaborative approach, I am confident we can meet our local targets and see reductions in the infection rates. I look forward to monitoring our positive progress towards our 2020 targets,” Minister Fitzharris said.
The ACT Statement of Priorities has been developed in consultation with key government and community agencies, representing a shared vision for the ACT. For more information and to access the ACT Statement of Priorities (2016-2020) visit: www.health.act.gov.au
- Statement ends -
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases
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