Sixth National HIV Strategy launched

NAPWA notes that the development of implementation plans is still ongoing, and that frameworks for robust monitoring and evaluation of the activities associated with an Australian HIV response over the next four years are still needed.

NAPWA president, Robert Mitchell, is eager to see the goals articulated in the national strategy turned into meaningful actions for the government, community, clinical [1]Pertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. and research sectors that together make up the national HIV partnership.

‘We are now focused on ensuring that achievements will match expectations,’ he said at the launch late last month.

‘It is critical the government partners provide leadership beyond a surveillance and health protection approach,’ Mitchell said, ‘otherwise the implementation plans will be narrow in focus, and not take advantage of the valuable innovations which can be secured with broader collaborations based on sound program logic and identified priorities.’

The HIV strategy is one of five national strategies. The others are on STIs [2][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). , hepatitis B, hepatitis C and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander blood-borne viruses [3]A small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. and STIs.