NAPWA

It has been almost a year since the last National Strategy expired but finally the formation of a new one is in the works.

Under the capable chair of Professor Michael Kidd, the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Blood Borne VirusesA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. and STIs[Sexually Transmissible (or Transmitted) Infection] Infections spread by the transfer of organisms from person to person during sexual contact. Also called venereal disease (VD) (an older public health term) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). (MACBBVS) is currently creating expert writing reference groups to oversee each of the five substrategies: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Each of the reference groups will have specific representation from affected communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and also from young people. The aim is to see at least two members under the age of 30 on each of the writing reference groups.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses strategy will also cover each of the disease areas. Each of the strategies will follow a similar structure. The Viral Hepatitis Expert Writing Reference Group will be responsible for both the hepatitis B and hepatitis C strategies.

A national consultation day will be hosted on 12 September in Brisbane at which there will be an opportunity for members from the Expert Writing Reference Groups and MACBBVS to take oral submissions.

Written submissions are being accepted up to 11 September and can be sent to strategies@ashmAustralasian Society for HIV Medicine. The peak Australasian organisation representing the medical and health sector in HIV/AIDS and related areas. .org.au

Copies of the existing strategies are available at www.ashm.org.au/nationalstrategies