Strategy targets sexual health and blood borne viruses in indigenous communities
The Commonwealth Government will fund routine testing for pregnant women to tackle increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections and blood borne viruses in Indigenous people.
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13 October 2005
ABB123/05
The Commonwealth Government will fund routine testing for pregnant women to tackle increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections and blood borne viruses in Indigenous people.
It is expected that 12,000 pregnant mothers will be given routine HIV and STI testing each year through Medicare. Early detection will allow earlier treatment to protect the health of both mother and child.
The funding of around $1 million per year was announced today at the launch of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Strategy 2005-2008.
Rates of sexually transmissible infections and blood borne viruses are higher among Indigenous people. The government now spends $9.6 million a year on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sexual health and blood borne virus programs.
The new strategy complements three other strategies, also administered by my department: the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the National Hepatitis C Strategy and the National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy.
It will focus on the issues surrounding the prevention and treatment needs of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders.
Priority areas identified in the strategy include tackling sexually transmissible infections and increasing the capacity of the health and community workforce to address all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV/AIDS, STIs and BBV.
Today’s funding announcement follows the recent announcement of more than $12 million to develop strategies to handle an increase in Chlamydia diagnoses, with a priority on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
A copy of the strategy will be available at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/phd-impl-plan-atsi-l
For more information call Mr Abbott's office on ph 02 6277 7220.
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