Comments on: Qld Health Minister determined to end HIV /opinion/soapbox-opinion/qld-health-minister-determined-to-end-hiv/113430 Setting Australia’s LGBTI agenda since 1979 Mon, 02 Dec 2013 05:57:01 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 By: Dr. Wendell Rosevear O.A.M /opinion/soapbox-opinion/qld-health-minister-determined-to-end-hiv/113430#comment-121451 Mon, 02 Dec 2013 05:57:01 +0000 https://starobserver.com.au/?p=113430#comment-121451 Mr.Springborg’s assessment of Healthy Communities having “lost sight of the problem” didn’t come from collaboratively talking with them. No one can say their “Rip and Roll” campaign was not internationally an awareness raiser. Healthy Communities targeted across the gay spectrum, old, young,leather,queen etc.They had a high risk group,”migrants at risk” program and Drug use and risk task force. They had grass roots access and ability.They were only contracted to target the gay community and this aspect of their work was independently audited such that those funds weren’t diverted to other projects. He may not have liked the fact they supported aged care, mental health, self esteem for suicide prevention and support for Relationship recognition. Fact is not everyone uses condoms and negotiated safety in trusting relationships is a HIV prevention strategy even if the Gov. oppose our relationship recognition.Despite being defunded it was Healthy Communities that first introduced Rapid Testing in Nov.2012. Still the Govt website END HIV refuses to list the Tuesday night Testing point clinic held at Healthy Communities.This LNP govt did reduce Biala from 44 to 11 staff and so decreases our sexual health doctor and nurse training ability and access to all STD testing. It is time to stop the prejudice against Healthy Communities and work together which is the foundation of Australia’s success to date.

]]> By: Eric Glare /opinion/soapbox-opinion/qld-health-minister-determined-to-end-hiv/113430#comment-121125 Thu, 28 Nov 2013 06:51:41 +0000 https://starobserver.com.au/?p=113430#comment-121125 It is great news that Queensland’s rate of new HIV infections may have dropped. I say ‘may have’ dropped because lower new diagnoses may be just because fewer people are getting tested. Why might fewer people be getting tested? From lack of trust in change. Because of fear and stigma arising from gutting the HIV sector leaving it in a state of redevelopment for a couple of years. Because of pre-treatment era fear in the recently resurrected Grim Reaper ad.

If Springborg is serious about onward HIV transmission in QLD he should instigate an anonymous longitudinal surveillance study of how many people have HIV but do not know they are infected as they are the most infectious people. This is the only way of knowing what the epidemic is really doing. It is the only way of knowing that policies are really working.

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