The rising number of new cases of HIV infection in Australia requires urgent government action, the leading Australian HIV/AIDS community organisation said today.
National President of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisation (AFAO), Bill Whittaker, said that the number of new HIV cases has risen in the three states which have 90 per cent of Australia’s HIV caseload.
In the state of Queensland, the number of new cases went from 97 in 2001 to 117 in 2002 – a rise of 20 per cent. In Victoria, the new diagnoses increased by seven per cent in 2002 following increases in 2000 and 2001. Figures for New South Wales (where Sydney is located) are not yet finalised but preliminary figures suggest a rise of up to eight per cent is likely.
The majority of new infections have occurred among gay and bisexual men, in line with an upward trend in comparable countries in Europe and North America.
Australia’s policy response to HIV/AIDS, enshrined in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, is regarded as a model of excellence which has been emulated around the world. However, Whittaker said that “Australia is at risk of losing its international reputation as a world and regional leader in HIV/AIDS if it allows the current situation to continue”.
The current Australian National HIV/AIDS Strategy is a five-year plan which provides the framework for Australia’s HIV/AIDS policies, programs and research. A mid-term review of the Strategy was commissioned in February 2002 due to emerging evidence of an increase in new infections.
The report and recommendations of the review were handed to federal Health Minister, Kay Patterson, last November but the government is yet to release the report or to address its findings. AFAO believes that the review calls for a major shake up of Australia’s AIDS response – particularly in the area of HIV prevention.
AFAO is putting pressure on the government to act on the report. “We can’t afford to sit around for another year pretending it’s business at usual,” AFAO executive Director Don Baxter told aidsmap. “HIV needs to be put back on the agenda of community and government”.
“We call on the Minister to release the reports and provide a roadmap for bringing in a revitalised National HIV/AIDS Strategy without further delay,” Whittaker said.