Aids Hilfe calls for a free provision 'kleinzeitung.at

The number of new infections is stable, but social exclusion remains a problem.

14:59, November 28, 2018

Groups at risk should be the Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which is now also available in Austria, get it for free: This calls Aids Hilfe Wien (AHW). There are internationally comparable examples, said AHW President Wolfgang Wilhelm on the occasion of World AIDS Day on 1 December.

The subject of HIV or AIDS is changing, said Wilhelm. On the medical side, progress is important, but new challenges arise. For now, think about how to treat prophylaxis. Initially, this treatment – offered as a tablet – cost about 800 euros per month. Thanks to the initiatives of pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry, we are now around 60 euros, which are however the responsibility of the customers themselves.

In some countries, however, some models have a free delivery for example, people already suffering from badually transmitted diseases. For example, France or the Netherlands have been mentioned here. Even Scotland or the American city of San Francisco are pioneers: "I think we should enter this canon," said Wilhelm. In any case, he noted, the corresponding examinations should be taken care of by the health insurance.

Stable number of new diagnoses

New diagnoses remain – 2017 has been 510 – stable at a low level of HIV, as Bernhard Benka of Division 4 (Communicable Disease, Crisis Management and Disease Control) of the Ministry of Health explains. The majority therefore applies always gay or bibadual men. Overall, it is estimated that just under 10 people are living with HIV or AIDS – it is not the infection with the virus but only the AIDS disease that needs to be notified.

Wilhelm, chief aids aids, complained that the social exclusionPeople living with HIV still exist – although significant progress has already been made in this area, he noted. For example, the release of Conchita's medal was well received. In social media, however, there have been hate mailings.

Wilhelm also discussed measures recently implemented by Aids Hilfe, such as training pharmacists for new self-tests. Also a HIV home test helpline service has been set up. Of particular importance, but also work with young people, he said. What is needed is an "emancipatory bad education", which should be implemented nationally, as emphasized.