The Queensland Government aims to reduce HIV transmissions in the state by 50% by the end of 2016 through measures set out in the Queensland HIV Strategy 2013-2015.
The Strategy, which was launched in Townsville by Queensland Health Minister Lawrence Springborg, was developed in consultation with Queensland's Ministerial Advisory Committee on HV/AIDS (MAC).
The Strategy lists the following key outcomes:
- Implement a comprehensive preventive approach to reduce HIV transmission
- Increase voluntary testing for HIV
- Increase treatment uptake by people with HIV to 90 per cent
- Increase awareness of HIV transmission, stigma and discrimination.
MAC President Dr Darren Russell said that 'Queensland is committed to both Commonwealth and UN targets for a 50 per cent reduction in HIV transmission by 2015 and these initiatives are paramount to help us achieve this.'
Representatives of the Queensland Association of Healthy Communities attended the launch.
The new Healthy Communities Executive Director, John Mikelsons, told Gay Network News that the new targets were 'ambitious [but] fantastic', especially the roll out of rapid testing and the planned promotion of treatment as prevention.
Mikelsons welcomed the government's commitment to a community-based approach.
'We think a community based strategy is also a positive step forward and we stand ready to work with the government on that,' he said.
Mikelsons said that he looked forward to working closely with the government on reducing HIV infections.
