Jacquie Richardson, Chief Executive of Positive Life reacting to the news that PrEP will be made available in Northern Ireland as part of a new HIV Prevention Pilot funded by the Health Transformation Fund said:
Jacquie Richardson, Chief Executive, Positive Life
“We welcome the latest news from the Department of Health that a new £450,000 HIV prevention pilot programme will be rolled out as part of the recent allocation under the Health Transformation Fund.”
“We understand that as part of that pilot project, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) will be made available in Northern Ireland for those at high risk of exposure to HIV.”
“We are encouraged that the Department has used the transformation fund to target the growing concern that HIV has become in Northern Ireland. We also welcome the fact that this is not simply PrEP on demand, but that this will play one part of a range of services which includes information on safer sex education, counselling and testing.”
“HIV is indiscriminate and we have a real opportunity through this type of pilot to empower people to take charge of their own sexual health and reduce the instances of HIV diagnoses here.”
“HIV is increasing in Northern Ireland with around 100 new diagnoses each year. We want to make sure that everything that can be done to support those in need or ensure those at most risk have opportunities to prevent themselves from contracting HIV.”