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NEW DIAGNOSIS OF HIV in Ireland is still increasing, despite new initiatives to tackle the issue.
There have been 476 new diagnoses of HIV this year, compared to 447 in the same time period last year.
Today, 1 December, marks World AIDS Day 2019.
Ireland is currently at almost double the European average, with higher numbers than during the Aids epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s.
According to the HIV/Aids surveillance in Europe 2008-2017 data, rates increased by 10% or more in countries in both 2008 and 2017 in only three countries – Iceland, Ireland and Malta.
The numbers of new diagnoses continue to rise, despite the initial stages of the PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) HIV prevention programme being implemented by the government after a review by the State’s health watchdog found the drug is highly effective at preventing HIV in people at substantial risk.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) said a formal PrEP programme would allow for a safe, effective and cost-saving environment, and the full roll out will be implemented next year, and would be free for those enrolled.
A PrEP scheme card ensures prescriptions of the drug for those who are eligible, and a full screening every three months.
Noel Donnellon from group ACT UP Dublin said there has been welcome movement on the issue, there is a long way to go.
“HIV rates are still high, the figures are always tweaked slightly, but we’re still at a higher rate than last year,” he said.
“However the PrEP programme has just started now, it hasn’t gone to full roll out yet, but some people clinically eligible in the program can take part, and we’re seeing good take up, so the hope is that will eventually effect figures.
“Awareness of PrEP is growing definitely, it’s being articulated among most groups, and there’s been a lot of press around it, so more people are aware.
“It’s early days, I know for a lot of clinics there’s been great take-up.”
According to new research conducted by Core Research on behalf of Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland, 87% of people had never heard of PrEP.
Donnellon says issues remain over access to the programme when the roll out is implemented.
Ireland’s second largest city Cork is currently the only city without a specialised HIV prevention clinic, after plans for the practice at Cork University Hospital (CUH) stalled.
“In relation to how many places that can prescribe PrEP, there is money mentioned as part of the scheme for more staff, but that won’t kick in till nearly next year,” he said.
“The fact there is no clinic in Cork is an issue, the problem there is it was meant to be set up in CUH and it hasn’t materialised,” he added.
This is “forcing people into smaller clinics and GPs surgeries for clinics”, Donnellon said, adding that “if you’re from rural areas or smaller towns that comes with it’s own set of issues”.
“We’re in a long battle against stigma, when people see there’s more people in different careers, races and genders with HIV it helps,” he said.
The more people who see people who live with HIV getting on with their lives, it will change stigma, it comes down to education in general.
“I’m still concerned about the rate, once the PrEP programme opens up, the more the better, but it will take time and education and social change, they’re all interlinked.”
Health Minister Simon Harris and Minister for Health Promotion Catherine Byrne have also marked Worlds AIDS Day today.
“This day provides us with a welcome opportunity to remember those who have been lost to AIDS-related illnesses and to remind ourselves of the need to keep focussing on what we can do to strengthen our efforts in the area of prevention and support for those living with HIV,” Byrne said.
“Good sexual health and wellbeing is important for our overall physical and mental health, and especially so in our young people. Reducing stigma and supporting education and sexual health promotion is vital to ensure everyone enjoys positive sexual health outcomes,” she said.
Almost 10,000 people have been diagnosed with HIV in Ireland since the early 1980s.
The HSE has been contacted for comment.
With reporting by Hayley Halpin
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Any breakdown on the increase, very vague reporting
@Tony: What breakdown would you like?
@Ian Breathnach: well for sexuality.
I say sexuality, because the Irish Blood Transfusion Service continues to rely on outdated and questionable research to deny perfectly healthy MSM from donating blood. A fresh research study using modern scientific methodology would be welcome.
-Martin Peter.
@UCC Social Democrats: any chance of good scientific/medical references to back up that assertion seeing that you are contradicting scientific/medical standpoint of the IBTS.
@Ian Breathnach: I guess he means whether it’s intravenous drug users, heterosexual, homosexual people who are affected
@Tony: https://www.hivireland.ie/hiv/hiv-in-ireland/
I think when you read the statistics, it is apparent why there is no meaningful attempt to explain the increase without stating the obvious.
@Honeybee: Thanks for the link, makes sense now
@Tony: Vague to say the least Tony ?
@Tony: Gearoid Murphy had a video breakdown on his you tube channel only 3 days ago. Plenty of great information in it.
@Tony: 80% of aids cases were born outside the country
@Dave Stewart: yes looks like the highest risk factor is to be born outside Ireland..
Immigration is really working well for Ireland.
Well I am sure we are importing this disease these days , which will very much once again add to our over all health provision costs. Can we not see what’s happening to our health system, the more people that depend on it ,the more likely the service will collapse. It’s a third World system as it is, and appears to be getting worse , especially having a 90 old lady on a trolley for days.
@Laz Mahon: i was going say that, thanks saying it as it is.
Thats a frightening statistic, also the health system will colapse with this kind of high medical attendsion requires in time
@Gerard Heery: Once you’re on meds, you’re not necessarily going to need of medical attention.
@Gerard Heery: newsflash you don’t need to be in a hospital if you are hiv positive.
@Gerard Heery: and the sky will fall!
@Gerard Heery: Not really clued in are you?
@Lisa Saputo: how much does med cost per patient just curious
@Peter Hughes: 16 billion a year on hse I’m sure medication is somewhere in the bill and the country is broke to the tune off 200 billion + just curious
@Lisa Saputo: just the medication costs which are quite expensive.
@Michael Burke: th sky won’t fall the taxes to cover living in this country seem falling into a black hole
@Lisa Saputo:that’s a very short term view I’m looking long term
@Gerard Heery: so what do you suggest?
@LaVie Darkling: are we importing this diseasese
Is it down to more riding without protection ? A lack of education ? Drug use via needle? Migration of people with the disease into the country ? Why the big increase ?
@JDB: 80% of aid cases in Ireland were born outside the country
@Dave Stewart: that’s not what the statistics say
@Dave Stewart: bull
@Mary McDonagh Faherty: Ya but they bring it in with them.
Of the diagnoses in 2018, 21% (n=109) were born in Ireland, 71% (n=370) were born abroad and 8% (n=44) did not have information on country of birth.
Of the 370 HIV diagnoses among those born outside Ireland, 34% were born in sub-Saharan Africa and 36% were born in Latin America and the Caribbean, 9% from countries in Central and Eastern Europe and 11% from countries in Western Europe.
@David Fitzgerald: The fact is many immigrants to here have HIV and TB but these people are added to the numbers and confuse things. Look at graph on page 10. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27948/1/HIVIreland_2016.pdf “Twety five percent (n=129) of new diagnoses were born in Ireland, 61% (n=311) were born abroad and 13% (n=68) did not have information on country of birth. Of those born abroad, 36% (n=113) were born in sub-Saharan Africa and 33% (n=103), in Latin America. Geographic origin varied by route of transmission (see figure 4)… The rate of diagnosis among those born in Ireland has remained stable since 2003, ranging from 3.4 to 4.2 per 100,000 population (see Figure 5). There has been much greater fluctuation in the rate among migrants and the rate has increased from 18.4 in 2011 to 38.4 per 100,000 in 2016… It’s from the HSE Report, “HIV in Ireland 2016 Report”
@TamuMassif2019: Vera Twomey had to go abroad to get treatment for her daughter because of inadequate healthcare here. Irish people with Cystic Fibrosis often travel to the US for treatments there. Hell, the Irish even travel to other countries to get cheaper dental care. Let’s just acknowledge the cognitive dissonance of denigrating people coming here for healthcare access whilst it’s an incredibly common practice amongst our own general populace.
We’re a nation of migrants and we should always strive to support others doing the same when seeking a better life.
The newly opened Galtee Suite will provide an area for counselling & education of patients to assist in improving the quality of life of patients living with HIV. Thanks again to
@Dr_JohnSheehan
for officially opening the Galtee Suite
@drcsadlier
@pjmurphy03
@HIVIreland
@SHC_Cork
Surprised by the increase, maybe it’s down to the fact that HIV is no longer a death sentence so people are taking less precautions.
@George Murphy: 80% imported. Irish people with aids has dropped so it’s not an Irish born epidemic
@George Murphy: Irish people are not that stupid as not to care for their lives
Why!!!!!!!!
Delighted to welcome Lord Mayor Cllr John Sheehan to officially open the Galtee Suite, a new treatment facility in the HIV clinic in CUH.
@Dr_JohnSheehan
@drcsadlier
@HIVIreland
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