Press Release: HIV Ireland says it’s a ”red letter day’ in the fight against HIV, following announcement of national PrEP programme
10th October 2019
HIV Ireland today warmly welcomes the announcement by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister Simon Harris and Minister of State Catherine Byrne of the Governments intention to launch a targeted HIV PrEP programme on 4th November followed by a full nationwide roll out of the programme in 2020.
Speaking following the joint announcement, Mr Bernard Condon SC, Chairperson of HIV Ireland said “The announcement of a fully funded national programme for HIV PrEP marks a ‘red letter day’ in the fight against new HIV infections in Ireland.”
“The introduction of a fully funded PrEP programme has been a key policy ask of HIV Ireland for some time, one of #5Asks set out by the organisation late last year as part of efforts to ensure pre-emptive use of antiretroviral medication for at-risk populations forms a key pillar of the State’s overall strategy to combat new HIV infections,” he said.
“The investment of €5.4million, in line with the recommendations of the HIQA report, fulfills a key pledge made by Government earlier this year, which together with complimentary initiatives, should see a significant reduction in new cases.” said Mr Condon.
“Assuming the programme is fully rolled out in 2020, as planned, this is nothing short of a life saving measure,” he added.
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