HIV prevention
A PrEP HIV prevention programme will be rolled out for 2019.
The Government made the announcement today, with Minister for Health Simon Harris saying sexual health is his top priority.
Prep- or pre-exposure prophylaxis is a form of HIV prevention
The programme, which was recommended by Health Information and Quality Authority, is estimated to cost €1.5 million in the first year.
Health Minister @SimonHarrisTD: “Sexual health is one of our key priorities under @HealthyIreland and reducing the number of new HIV diagnoses in Ireland is a priority focus for me as Minister for Health." #FastTrackCities
— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) 14 June 2019
It's estimated it at least 173 new cases of HIV will be averted because of the treatment.
HIQA says that this programme will cost less than the treatment of HIV.
Ireland is also going to take part in a new global campaign to Increase HIV awareness.
The news comes after 2018 was confirmed as the worst year on record for the detection of new cases of HIV.
513 people were diagnosed in Ireland last year.
