Press Release – for immediate release
HIV Ireland has today welcomed the publication of the long-awaited National Sexual Health Strategy 2025 – 2035, and the renewal of the Government’s commitment to eliminate HIV transmission in Ireland by 2030. Key priorities on HIV contained within the strategy include expansion of HIV prevention initiatives at both clinic and community level, improved care pathways for people living with HIV, an emphasis on enhanced surveillance and early diagnosis, and the need to address HIV-related stigma.
Speaking following the publication of the document which includes a First Sexual Health Action Plan 2025 -2028, Chair of HIV Ireland Mr Steve Lynam said “We are pleased to note the commitment on developing a stand-alone Action Plan for elimination of HIV by 2030 to coincide with the rollout of the strategy and the development of updated national standards for HIV clinical care, to ensure Ireland can fully meet its commitments on HIV prevention and care. We look forward to working collaboratively with Government on identifying key action plan priorities and objectives,” he added.
Commenting on the implementation of the strategy, Mr Lynam said “The ambitious approach to ending new HIV transmissions within the lifetime of the strategy must be matched by adequate resource allocation. This should include bolstering of existing community-based and home HIV and STI testing programmes, mainstreaming initiatives such as opt-out HIV testing in emergency departments, and the timely implementation of the first and subsequent action plans on sexual health to ensure the strategy objectives are realised.”
Speaking on the specific commitments concerning HIV contained within the strategy, Executive Director of HIV Ireland Mr Stephen O’Hare said: “The development of a Model of Care for the treatment and support of people living with HIV aligns clearly with the Government’s stated commitments to support this diverse community as outlined in the Programme for Government. Key to a successful Model of Care will be engagement with, and reflection of, the needs and priorities of stakeholders who often experience societal stigma and barriers to accessing services, development of integrated care pathways, and the adoption of best practice initiatives,” he added.
Noting the commitment to increase the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication to prevent acquisition of HIV from a sexual partner living with HIV and not on effective treatment, Mr O’Hare said “The strategy notes the clear and pressing need to broaden access to PrEP and reduce lengthy waiting times which are presently injurious to Ireland’s HIV prevention goals. This can only be achieved by significantly increasing capacity and resources of providers to ensure anyone who needs access to PrEP can get it without delay, mirroring services in neighbouring jurisdictions.”
“Such measures” continued Mr O’Hare “should include an expanded role for primary care, including pharmacies, digital solutions, embracing advances in technology such as long- acting PrEP medication, and the expansion of the criteria to access PrEP to ensure access by populations currently excluded from the existing programme.”
For interviews, please contact Stephen O’Hare, Executive Director, HIV Ireland on 0857112635, email stephen.ohare@hivireland.ie
The National Sexual Health Strategy 2025 – 2035 can be accessed here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/20250528_The_National_Sexual_Health_Strategy_2025-2035_final.pdf
Key commitments on HIV contained within the strategy on HIV include:
- Develop an Action Plan to eliminate new HIV transmissions by 2030 and provide support for people living with HIV, including regional implementation plans.
- Develop a Model of Care that meets the care needs of people living with HIV in Ireland across the life course of the population.
- Develop a HIV Model of Care implementation plan, including a resourcing and business plan.
- Develop and update national standards, guidelines and KPIs for HIV clinical care delivery, aligned to standards and auditable outcomes.
- Expand equitable capacity for PrEP as a priority, scoping options including additional capacity for public PrEP clinics, widening access to free PrEP services through primary care and exploring digital solutions to improve access to PrEP.
- Explore a digital solution to improve timely access to PEP, out of hours and for people living at a distance from public STI clinics.
- Commence and support a dedicated project team to implement comprehensive integrated electronic surveillance of HIV and STIs in the new national Outbreak Case Incident Management and Surveillance System (OCIMS), including electronic upload of behavioural indicators from STI clinics into OCIMS.
- Develop a national HIV registry to understand the needs and outcomes of people living with HIV and for improved national reporting of HIV sustainable development goals.