The National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) welcomes the release of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy 2005 — 2008. The strategy, which aims to revitalise Australia’s response to HIV/AIDS, has been developed through a long period of consultation and drafting. NAPWA is pleased the documentation is finally available. NAPWA, as the peak non-government organisation representing People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) community based groups in Australia, has worked hard to ensure the interests of all PLWHA groups have been met and supported within the strategy.

“Given there are more people living with HIV in Australia than ever before, prioritising the health needs of PLWHA within the strategy is essential and timely,” said NAPWA President Ms Gabe McCarthy. “People living with HIV/AIDS are recognised as having a central role in revitalising the National HIV/AIDS response. NAPWA played a vital role in the Strategy’s development emphasising the need to keep positive people at the heart of responding to developments and challenges in treatments, care and support, as well as HIV health promotion programs.”

Mr David Menadue, Vice President of NAPWA, speaking at the launch today said, “We’re pleased the Strategy recommits the government to working in partnership with positive people and the HIV community. NAPWA is now looking forward to implementation details to guide this work over the next four years.”

A copy of the Strategy is available by clicking the link below (66 pages/403kB PDF).

For more details contact:

• Jo Watson — NAPWA Executive Officer — 0414 880 005

A PDF version of this Media Release can be downloaded from the link below.

Attachment	Size	Type
hivaids_strategy.pdf	403.49 KB	PDF
mr20050617_5ns.pdf	15.83 KB	PDF