Archive for year: 2015
Thom McGinty – The Diceman – 20th Anniversary Commemorative Posters
Thom McGinty – The Diceman – 20th Anniversary Commemorative limited edition Posters, designed by Charlie O’Neill, are available to purchase at HIV Ireland.
€10.00 (plus postage and packaging, or can be collected in our offices).
All proceeds go to HIV Ireland.
For further information email marie.hamilton@hivireland.ie or telephone Marie at at 01 873 3799.
“Thom, you seduced Ireland. You were the living artwork of our darkest secrets and our brightest moments. You turned our guilt into showbusiness. Our hysterics into art. Our wonder into revelation. You were the first. You prepared us for diversity. You rattled our conservatism. You were our charming friend. So, 20 years on, we once again bid you thanks and we celebrate you – but we still miss you and your devilment.”
HIV Ireland launched by Minister Leo Varadkar on World AIDS Day
HIV Ireland Press Release 1st December 2015
HIV Ireland was officially launched on World AIDS Day, 1st December 2015, by the Minister for Health, Mr. Leo Varadkar. The change of name from Dublin AIDS Alliance to HIV Ireland is very much a reflection of the reality for the vast majority of people living with HIV in Ireland today – progression to AIDS is no longer inevitable. Given the significant improvements in medication and treatment over the last twenty years, people who contract HIV in 2015, and access treatment as soon as possible, can expect to live a normal healthy life.
Leo Varadkar TD, Minister for Health launching HIV Ireland today, World AIDS Day, in HIV Ireland. Pictured from left to right Stephen Rourke, Chair of HIV Ireland, Leo Varadkar TD, Minister for Health, Niall Mulligan, Executive Director of HIV Ireland and Erin Nugent Community Support Manager, HIV Ireland.
When launching the organisation, the Minister commended the re-branded organisation. “I think this re-branding is a positive step which can only build on all the good work it has performed so far. I wish them the very best for the future and I know their excellent work will continue. This is a very timely launch as the number of new HIV cases is rising year on year. The Government is funding a rapid HIV test in the main cities on a pilot basis, as part of the new Sexual Health Strategy. Testing is available free of charge at 20 locations across the State. But this event today will help to raise awareness and hopefully prompt more people to get tested. Early detection allows treatment to start early, it minimises the long-term health implications, and reduces potential new infections.”
The number of new HIV cases is rising year on year which is a real cause for concern. My Department is currently funding a rapid HIV test in the main cities on a pilot basis, as part of the new Sexual Health Strategy. STI screening is available free of charge at 20 locations across the State. However, it’s important that we raise awareness and detect as many undiagnosed cases as we can in order to get treatment early, minimise the long-term health implications, and reduce potential new infections.”
Leo Varadkar TD, Minister for Health Launching HIV Ireland today, World AIDS Day, in HIV Ireland. Pictured Leo Varadkar TD, Minister for Health with Niall Mulligan, Executive Director of HIV Ireland.
Speaking after the launch, Niall Mulligan, Executive Director of HIV Ireland emphasised one of the key challenges being the rising numbers of new HIV diagnoses in Ireland. ‘We cannot afford to become complacent. We must continually remind ourselves that as new HIV diagnoses increase in Ireland (427 new provisional diagnoses to date in 2015, an increase of 85 over this time last year – www.hpsc.ie), approximately 30% of people who are living with HIV in Ireland don’t actually know they are. Challenging stigma, encouraging safer sex and condom use and increasing access to testing must remain key Government priorities if we are to have any chance of reducing new HIV diagnoses over the coming years’.
Also speaking at the event was Dr. Erin Nugent, Community Support Co-ordinator with HIV Ireland, who launched the latest edition of ‘Living with HIV in Ireland – a Self-Help Guide’, an indispensable support for those who are living with HIV in Ireland today. The guide is available as a download on www.hivireland.ie. In launching the Guide, Dr. Nugent thanked Janssen pharmaceuticals for funding the project. She also spoke of how ‘the guide represents the human rights ethos of HIV Ireland. An ethos that centres on our core beliefs that people have a right to education, a right to make informed decisions and a right to be respected’.
HIV Ireland also announced some key pieces of work the organisation will be involved in during 2016 i.e. conducting a National HIV survey looking at stigma, discrimination, general awareness of HIV and public attitudes towards people living with HIV; expanding its HIV and STI Community Testing programme into the North East with support from the HSE National Social Inclusion department and increasing its work with the Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland and others to promote the health and rights of sex workers.
Equally, as a key partner with the Gay Health Network (GHN), HIV Ireland is delighted to be involved today in the launch of a new HIV awareness campaign, part of the joint HSE and GHN national Man2Man.ie programme. HIV: Laid Bare is a new messaging campaign targeted at men who have sex with men and aims to increase knowledge about HIV prevention, about the positive effects of HIV medication in preventing the transmission of HIV and the importance of regular testing, and to challenge the stigma still experienced by MSM living with HIV.
HIV Ireland would like to thank all of its colleagues, funders and friends for their huge level of support over the last number of years and looks forward to working in partnership with others to ensure that everything that can be done will be done to support people living with HIV in Ireland.
For information about HIV, testing, safer sex and support please visit – www.hivireland.ie; www.man2man.ie; www.positivenow.ie
End
For further information, please contact:
Niall Mulligan,
Executive Director
HIV Ireland
70 Eccles Street
Dublin 7
Mobile: 085 7457951
Tel: 01 8733799
Email: niall.mulligan@hivireland.ie
www.hivireland.ie
HIV Ireland Information
HIV Ireland is a registered charity operating at local, National and European level. The principal aim of the organisation is too improve, through a range of support services, conditions for people living with HIV and AIDS and/or Hepatitis, their families and their caregivers while further promoting sexual health in the general population.
Our mission and vision is to contribute towards a significant reduction in the incidence and prevalence of HIV in Ireland and towards the realisation of an AIDS-free generation by advocating for individuals living with HIV, preventing new HIV infections and combating HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
Since 1987 HIV Ireland (formerly Dublin AIDS Alliance) has been pioneering services in sexual health education and promotion, and has consistently engaged in lobbying and campaigning in the promotion of human rights. Our approach broadly reflects a harm minimisation model which emphasises practical rather than idealised goals. In relation to practical service provision we currently operate under two headings
A) Community Support
- Counselling
- 1-1 Support
- Advocacy
- Community Outreach Work
- HIV & STI Community Testing
- Capacity Building with People Living with HIV
B) Prevention, Education & Training
- One day workshops on HIV, STI’s and Sexual Health
- Sexual Health Training for Trainers Programme (Let’s Talk About…..Safer Sex)
- Free Condom Service (Just Carry One Campaign)
- Social Media work and campaigning
- Network Involvement
Joint Press Release: Minister Varadkar launches Ireland’s first National World AIDS Day (WAD) Campaign
Minister Varadkar launches Ireland’s first National World AIDS Day (WAD) Campaign
Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar today (Thursday 26th November 2015) launched the first ever five-day national World AIDS Day campaign in Ireland. This campaign is developed by NGO’s and statutory bodies across Ireland in partnership with the HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme.
26/11/2015 Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar TD (5th from right), launches Ireland’s first National World AIDS Day (WAD) Campaign developed by NGOs and statutory bodies across Ireland in partnership with the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme #WADirl. Pictured with Minister Varadkar are, from left, Oisin McKenna, SpunOut.ie, Jacinta Whelan, Dochas, Mick Quinlan, HSE Gay Men’s Health Service, Roisin Guiry, HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme, Niall Mulligan, HIV Ireland, Fiona Lyons, HSE Clinical Lead for Sexual Health, Lynn Caldwell, ACET, Jimmy Goulding, Positive Now, Aoife Ni Shuilleabhain, USI, and Hayley Mulligan, AIDSWest. Photo: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
The focus of the Irish campaign is Solidarity with all people living with HIV, both those who know they are living with HIV, and those who don’t. The campaign will run for 5 days from 27th November 2015 until World AIDS Day on the 1st December 2015, and aims to raise awareness about the many issues that present themselves for people living with HIV and those at risk of contracting HIV.
While there has been a significant and welcome improvement in treatment and testing for HIV, concern remains regarding the number of newly diagnosed cases in Ireland. As of mid-November 2015, 427 new diagnoses of HIV have been reported by the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) [1].The key messages of HIV Visibility, HIV Stigma, HIV Support and HIV Knowledge are being promoted through a social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter asking people to show their solidarity with people who are living with HIV. They can do so by wearing a red ribbon, starting a conversation about HIV with friends and family, challenging HIV stigma and discrimination if they encounter it, or learning more about safer sex and getting tested for HIV. The hashtag for the campaign is #WADirl.
26/11/2015 Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar TD, launches Ireland’s first National World AIDS Day (WAD) Campaign developed by NGOs and statutory bodies across Ireland in partnership with the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme #WADirl. Pictured with Minister Varadkar are Fiona Lyons, HSE Clinical Lead for Sexual Health, and Jimmy Goulding, Positive Now. Photo: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Speaking at the launch in Dublin, Minister Varadkar said: “This is a very timely and a very positive campaign. I want to encourage everyone to embrace its theme of coming together in order to break down stigma and barriers. The number of new HIV cases is rising year on year which is a real cause for concern. My Department is currently funding a rapid HIV test in the main cities on a pilot basis, as part of the new Sexual Health Strategy. STI screening is available free of charge at 20 locations across the State. However, it’s important that we raise awareness and detect as many undiagnosed cases as we can in order to get treatment early, minimise the long-term health implications, and reduce potential new infections.”
The Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cork and Mayors of Limerick and Galway are supporting the campaign by promoting the key messages of HIV Visibility, HIV Stigma, HIV Support and HIV Knowledge. Equally, city councils and local authorities are showing their solidarity by lighting up in red, prominent buildings in cities across the country. HIV organisations and sexual health services are supporting the campaign in many ways including organised events and activities that will run throughout the campaign and into December.
Welcoming this new campaign, Lysander Preston, Chairperson of Positive Now, an all-Ireland network of people living with HIV said, “Positive Now stands in solidarity with those living with HIV and AIDS around the world. We will continue to work together to help combat the HIV related stigma and discrimination which greatly impacts on individuals living with this illness. This campaign is a significant and welcome step in raising awareness about HIV in Ireland today”.
26/11/2015 Do you know your HIV status? Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar TD, with Fiona Lyons, HSE Clinical lead for Sexual Health, getting tested for HIV as part of the National World AIDS Day (WAD) campaign #WADirl. Photo: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Earlier this month, Irelands first National Sexual Health Strategy was published providing a national framework for sexual health & wellbeing. HIV prevention and working together to achieve this is an important aspect of this strategy. Dr. Fiona Lyons, the HSE’s Clinical Lead for Sexual Health Services said “The strategy highlights the need to address stigma and discrimination for those living with HIV and the negative impact they can have on HIV disclosure and people accessing HIV treatment and support services. Recommendations within the Strategy aim to address these issues through the promotion of positive cultural change regarding sexual health. We all have a part to play in achieving these recommendations”.
The campaign is developed by:
ACET, AIDS West, BelongTo, Concern, Dochas, Gay Health Network, GOSHH, HIV Ireland, HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme, HSE Gay Men’s Health Service, HSE Public Health, HSE Health Promotion & Improvement, HSE National Communications Division, HSE HIV/Sexual Health Helpline, Irish Family Planning Association, OutHouse, Positive Now, SpunOut.ie, the Sexual Health Centre Cork, Union of Students in Ireland.
World AIDS Day 2015 – Show your Solidarity
While there has been a significant and welcome improvement in treatment for HIV, concern remains regarding the numbers of newly diagnosed cases in Ireland. As of mid-November 2015, 411 new diagnoses of HIV have been reported by the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
World AIDS Day is a significant annual event in Ireland that helps to raise awareness about the many issues that present themselves for people living with HIV and those at risk of contracting HIV. In 2015, organisations from all over Ireland are working together to roll out a national co-ordinated campaign running for five days from Friday 27th of November until World AIDS Day on the 1st of December. The focus of World AIDS Day 2015 is Solidarity with all people living with HIV, both those who know they are living with HIV, and those who don’t.
The key messages of HIV Visibility, HIV Stigma, HIV Support and HIV Knowledge are being promoted through a social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter asking people to show their solidarity with people who are living with HIV. The Lord Mayor’s in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway are supporting the campaign by promoting the key messages of HIV Visibility, HIV Stigma, HIV Support and HIV Knowledge. Equally, city councils and local authorities are showing their solidarity by lighting up prominent buildings in red in cities across the country. HIV organisations and sexual health services are supporting the campaign in many ways including organised events and activities that will run throughout the campaign and into December.
Support the Campaign and Show your Solidarity
Download the campaign posters and display in your organisation/workplace.
Poster 1 Visibility Poster 2 Stigma Poster 3 Support Poster 4 Knowledge
Download social media materials and post to Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #WADirl
Download the Facebook profile picture and upload to your Facebook page to support World AIDS Day.
Profile Pic
Follow the campaign on Facebook and Twitter and post a message using the hashtag #WADirl.
HIV Ireland Press Release (Thursday 26th November 2015)
Minister Varadkar launches Ireland’s first National World AIDS Day (WAD) Campaign
Show Your Solidarity #WADirl
Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar today (Thursday 26th November 2015) launched the first ever five-day national World AIDS Day campaign in Ireland. This campaign is developed by NGO’s and statutory bodies across Ireland in partnership with the HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme.
The focus of the Irish campaign is Solidarity with all people living with HIV. The campaign will run for 5 days from 27th November 2015 until World AIDS Day on the 1st December 2015, and aims to raise awareness about the many issues that present themselves for people living with HIV and those at risk of contracting HIV.
The key messages of HIV Support, HIV Knowledge, HIV Visibility, HIV Stigma and are being promoted through a social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter asking people to show their solidarity with people who are living with HIV. They can do so by wearing a red ribbon, starting a conversation about HIV with friends and family, challenging HIV stigma and discrimination if they encounter it, or learning more about safer sex and getting tested for HIV. The hashtag for the campaign is #WADirl.
While there has been a significant and welcome improvement in treatment and testing for HIV, concern remains regarding the number of newly diagnosed cases in Ireland. As of mid-November, 427 new diagnoses of HIV have been reported to the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) for 2015 [1].
Speaking at the launch in Dublin, Minister Varadkar said: “This is a very timely and a very positive campaign. I want to encourage everyone to embrace its theme of coming together in order to break down stigma and barriers. The number of new HIV cases is rising year on year which is a real cause for concern. My Department is currently funding a rapid HIV test in the main cities on a pilot basis, as part of the new Sexual Health Strategy. STI screening is available free of charge at 20 locations across the State. However, it’s important that we raise awareness and detect as many undiagnosed cases as we can in order to get treatment early, minimise the long-term health implications, and reduce potential new infections.”
The Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cork and Mayors of Limerick and Galway are supporting the campaign by promoting the key messages of HIV Visibility, HIV Stigma, HIV Support and HIV Knowledge. Equally, city councils and local authorities are showing their solidarity by lighting up prominent buildings in red in cities across the country. HIV organisations and sexual health services are supporting the campaign in many ways including organised events and activities that will run throughout the campaign and into December.
Welcoming this new campaign, Lysander Preston, Chairperson of Positive Now, an all-Ireland network of people living with HIV said, “Positive Now stands in solidarity with those living with HIV and AIDS around the world. We will continue to work together to help combat the HIV related stigma and discrimination which greatly impacts on individuals living with this illness. This campaign is a significant and welcome step in raising awareness about HIV in Ireland today”.
Earlier this month, Irelands first National Sexual Health Strategy was published providing a national framework for sexual health & wellbeing. HIV prevention and working together to achieve this is an important aspect of this strategy. Dr. Fiona Lyons, the HSE’s Clinical Lead for Sexual Health Services said “The strategy highlights the need to address stigma and discrimination for those living with HIV and the negative impact these issues can have on HIV disclosure and people accessing HIV treatment and support services. Recommendations within the Strategy aim to address these issues through the promotion of positive cultural change regarding sexual health. We all have a part to play in achieving these recommendations”.
The campaign is developed by:
ACET, AIDS West, BelongTo, Concern, Dochas, Gay Health Network, GOSHH, HIV Ireland, HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme, HSE Gay Men’s Health Service, HSE Public Health, HSE Health Promotion & Improvement, HSE National Communications Division, HSE HIV/Sexual Health Helpline, Irish Family Planning Association, OutHouse, Positive Now, SpunOut.ie, the Sexual Health Centre Cork, Union of Students in Ireland.
Notes to editors:
1. Preliminary analysis of data for quarters 1 and 2 of 2015 from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), show that cases are mainly occurring in men who have sex with men, heterosexuals from countries where HIV is endemic, and also people who inject drugs (PWID). In 2014 and continuing this year, an outbreak of HIV among vulnerable homeless PWID has contributed to the rise in cases. In addition, this year there has been a change in the laboratory notification process, leading to earlier detection and more cases being reported.
2. In 2014, 377 new HIV diagnoses were notified in Ireland. For further information visit http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/HIVSTIs/
For a list of free HIV/STI testing centres:
www.hivireland.ie/hiv/testing/free-hiv-sti-testing-centre-locator/
For further information, please contact:
HSE Press Office
Press@hse.ie
01 635 2840
European HIV-Hepatitis testing week
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European HIV-Hepatitis testing week. European HIV-Hepatitis testing week! Visit…
Free HIV and STI Testing Centres in Ireland |
HIV Ireland NewsDesk Weekly 20/11/2015
This weekly resource includes updates on relevant national, European and international news and policy issues on HIV, hepatitis and sexual health-related issues. This service is provided free by HIV Ireland to a range of organisations and individuals interested in these areas, and offers a summary of relevant weekly news highlights from various sources including national and local print media and related-websites.
HIV Ireland NewsDesk Weekly 13/11/2015
HIV Ireland NewsDesk Weekly 9 November to 13 November 2015
Please note the date on this week’s Newsletter should be November 13
This weekly resource includes updates on relevant national, European and international news and policy issues on HIV, hepatitis and sexual health-related issues. This service is provided free by HIV Ireland to a range of organisations and individuals interested in these areas, and offers a summary of relevant weekly news highlights from various sources including national and local print media and related-websites.