Press Release – HIV Services Ireland – Published 29 Nov 2017
HIV Services Ireland marks World AIDS Day
HIV Services Ireland (HSI) is a network of HIV Support Services across the country including ACET (Dublin); AIDS West (Galway); GOSHH (Limerick); HIV Ireland (Dublin); Sexual Health Centre (Cork) and the HSE HIV and Sexual Health Helpline (Nationwide). HSI also works in partnership with the Dóchas HIV Group.
We work every day to support those impacted by HIV and to give clear and up to date information and support to those with questions or concerns related to HIV and Sexual Health. This Friday (Dec 1st) is World AIDS Day, a day when the spotlight is put on the topic of HIV and AIDS across the globe.
This year we in HSI want to take a moment to acknowledge all of those who have used our services to date and all of those who have worked alongside us through this evolving world of HIV support. 2017 marks 30 years since the founding of the Sexual Health Centre, AIDS West and HIV Ireland (formerly Dublin AIDS Alliance). ACET is 25yrs old this year and the HIV and Sexual Health Helpline has celebrated its 20th anniversary . Through these years Worlds AIDS Day and Irish AIDS Day(June 15th) have been markers, giving us pause to consider the global as well as the local, the national picture as well as that of the individuals that we see each day. There were 508 new HIV infections in 2016 and 451 recorded up to 18th Nov 2017. Those individuals need support and information. Some of them will not have spoken to anyone since their diagnosis because of the fear and stigma that they feel. These people need to know that we are here for them, we will not judge, we will inform, support, guide and refer onward if needed. We will offer them a place to talk, to figure out a plan and to start to look forward again.
So, on this World AIDS Day we would like to glance back in appreciation for the years of service that the HIV Services Ireland Network members have given to the communities of Ireland, including supporting people living with HIV who were born abroad, and to then look forward with determination at a future with less stigma, with effective treatment, with accessible testing and movement towards zero new infections. We want to spread the news about our services for those who are HIV+ and their families and invite people to avail of our supports.
HSI have created www.hivservices.ie and website that has a directory of services under the headings:
- HIV testing
- HIV Treatment
- Support and Advocacy
- Education and Prevention.
If people want to talk this through further they are invited to call the HIV and Sexual Health Helpline on 1800 459 459 or email helpline@hse.ie
For more information on celebratory and memorial events around World AIDS Day 2017 visit www.sexualhealthcentre.ie; www.goshh.ie; www.aidswest.ie and www.acet.ie and for information on testing visit www.hivservices.ie
END
Representatives from the HSI network would be available for interview on this topic
Issued by Ann Mason, rep of HSI. Email: manager@goshh.ie Tel: 061-314354