2006
December 1, World AIDS Day - Let’s talk about it: Many faces, different voices
HIV gene ‘immunity’ tests: don’t believe the hype 20 October 2006
New HIV infections up 41% - Time for Revitalisation 12 October 2006
Queensland Health commended on handling of HIV Dentist 24 August 2006
AFAO welcomes Bill & Melinda Gates fresh and challenging approach to reversing the HIV/AIDS pandemic 14 August 2006
Public health is the critical issue in blood bank policy 7 July 2006
HIV/AIDS Global Declaration for 2006-2010 a missed opportunity 2 June 2006
AFAO welcome's Queen's declaration: leadership is vital in the fight against HIV/AIDS 14 March 2006
AFAO welcomes AusAID initiatives for HIV/AIDS 22 February 2006
2005
AFAO announces new President 7 November 2005
Government brothels flip flop fails Tasmanians says AFAO 6 October 2005
Asian gay communities confront HIV: but is support too little and too late? 5 July 2005
Government tendering process contributed to increased HIV infections says national AIDS body. 5 May 2005
STIs and HIV campaign needed all over the country says national AIDS body Monday, 28 February 2005
2004
The HIV virus is still winning easily – Strong leadership and innovative programs needed Thursday, 24 November 2004
Further rises in NSW HIV infections ring warning bells nationally 19 May 2004
AFAO Welcomes Australian Government Commitment to Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria 18 February 2004
December 1, World AIDS Day
Let’s talk about it: Many faces, different voices
Focus and commitment are the keys to sustaining Australia’s effective response to HIV, according to Australia’s peak community AIDS body.
“World AIDS Day presents us with the opportunity to review our successes and recommit to the challenges of Australia’s particular epidemic,” said Ian Rankin, President of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO).
Rising infections amongst gay and homosexually active men – 41% in the last five years – is a warning that we must remain committed at every level of society, from the individual to the political, Rankin argued.
“HIV is a social disease, a disease transmitted in our most intimate encounters. It is also a disease that has social determinants – poverty, inequality, homophobia and stigma and these must be addressed,” he said.
Australia’s historic success in controlling and containing HIV was due to communities and politicians working together to ensure that prevention efforts were targeted at the most vulnerable populations, gay men and injecting drug users, Rankin explained. Programs that spoke to people very directly about risks, and that provided people with the equipment they needed to prevent HIV – condoms and clean injecting equipment – were absolutely essential.
“It’s hard to sustain political will over the course of two and a half decades, and it’s hard for people to maintain safe practices, especially safe sex, for a lifetime,” said Rankin. “We need to address the factors that might influence people to have unprotected sex, from negative factors such as low self esteem, to the seemingly positive factors like falling in love.”
Despite the Australian epidemic predominantly affecting the gay community, Rankin warned against mainstream complacency.
“If you are sexually active and have unprotected sex with a partner or partners of unknown HIV status, you are at risk of HIV and a swag of other sexually transmissible infections that can threaten your sexual and reproductive health,” Rankin said. “This is a message that every Australian needs to heed.”
Australia also needs to avoid being insular, Rankin said.
“We live in an increasingly globalised world, and our neighbours, such as PNG and Thailand, have rapidly expanding epidemics,” Rankin said. “It is important that we work hard in our region to promote effective responses targeted toward the populations at highest risk in each country.”
Contacts:
AFAO President Ian Rankin 0406 375 380
AFAO Executive Director Don Baxter 0419 223 560
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Joint AFAO/NAPWA Media Release
20 October 2006
HIV gene ‘immunity’ tests: don’t believe the hype
Gay men are being urgently warned to be sceptical of a genetic test being marketed in Australia which purports to indicate whether an individual may be immune to HIV infection.
The National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) and the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) today issued the warning in response to online advertisements, placed by a Sydney company, offering genetic testing for a polymorphism, or naturally occurring variation in a gene, known as ‘delta-32 deletion’.
Banner advertisements promoting the test have recently appeared on popular gay websites including gaydar.com.au. The advert reads “Are you immune to HIV?” and suggests that the genetic test can provide information about whether an individual has the delta-32 polymorphism and may be therefore resistant to HIV infection.
The test, being offered by Sydney company Syquip Pty Ltd, costs $US160 per test, but such testing has not been subject to robust clinical trials to determine its validity as a marker of HIV ‘immunity’.
The test detects the presence or absence of a co-receptor (CCR5) needed for the entry of HIV into cells. Research has linked an inherited variation on the gene for these cells to ‘immunity’ against HIV infection, because HIV cannot attach to cells without CCR5, and HIV predominantly uses CCR5 cells to infect the body. A variant gene can be inherited from one or both parents; but having two copies of this variant (which would be required for putative ‘immunity’) is rare, occurring in less than 2–3 percent of the Caucasian population.
Further, there is evidence that even with this variant, HIV infection can still occur and cause progressive HIV illness.
“These advertisements send a confusing and dangerous message,” said Bill Whittaker, National Health and Treatments Portfolio Convenor for NAPWA. “While it’s true that people with this deletion have some level of resistance to infection with most strains of HIV, it is extremely uncommon, for the vast majority of people this test can only tell them what they should already know: that they risk HIV infection if they have unsafe sex.”
Results from this test should not be relied upon as an excuse to abandon safe sex, Whittaker warned. “There is not enough evidence to say that in all cases, people with this deletion are protected from HIV or its consequences: there may also be other factors involved.”
“We’re particularly concerned that the website promoting the test carries little concrete information about the company behind it, no information about the quality assurance of their testing procedures, and only a post office box address. It’s unhelpful that a test of questionable practical usefulness is being marketed – at a cost of several hundred dollars – directly to gay men in this way,” he said.
“Only a tiny proportion of people carry this particular genetic trait. For the vast majority of Australian gay men who don’t, this test is likely to be little more than an expensive and futile waste of money,” Whittaker said.
For more details contact:
Jo Watson – NAPWA Executive Officer – 02 8568 0300 or Freecall 1800 259 666
Don Baxter – AFAO Executive Director – 0419 223 560
Paul Kidd – NAPWA Communications and Media Officer – 0438 203 754
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12 October 2006
New HIV infections up 41% - Time for Revitalisation says national AIDS body
Today’s announcement of a 41 per cent national increase in HIV infections in the last five years must end government complacency, said Don Baxter, Executive Director of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) today.
The increases in HIV infections were reported in the Australian Annual Report of HIV Surveillance for 2006 at a national conference in Melbourne today.
“Government investment in HIV prevention has remained static while the epidemic has been steadily increasing,” Mr Baxter said.
“In 2006 we are on track to record more than 1,000 new HIV infections,” he said. “These will add at least $500m. to PBS drug costs in the future, yet we’re investing less than $20m. on HIV prevention now. At this static rate we are guaranteeing increasingly higher costs for Australian taxpayers in the future,” he said.
“Australia’s Fifth National HIV/AIDS Strategy, titled ‘Revitalising the Australian Response’, is now half way through its term, but its major prevention component has not yet been planned or funded – let alone implemented”, Mr Baxter said.
Even though HIV incidence is rising, the work of three of Australia’s national centres of excellence in HIV-related research has now been compromised by cuts to their infrastructure funding, he noted.
Mr Baxter said the National Centre in HIV Clinical Research and Epidemiology, the National Centre in HIV Social Research and the Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society have recently had infrastructure funding cut by two million dollars by the Department of Education, Science and Training.
“The research centres provide the essential evidence-base for government and community organisations to design effective prevention programs and are a key reason why Australia’s HIV infection rates and treatment costs are lower than comparable countries,” Mr Baxter said.
“Reducing the Research Centres funding when new HIV infections are rising just doesn’t make any sense at all – this decision should be reversed”, he said.
Further information:
Don Baxter (AFAO Executive Director) 0419-223-560
Bridget Haire (AFAO Media officer) 0418-431-672
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August 24 2006
Queensland Health commended on handling of HIV Dentist
The efficient and sensitive response by Queensland Health to a dentist testing HIV positive is praiseworthy, says Australia’s peak community AIDS organisation.
“We congratulate the state health system for anticipating the concerns of people who have undergone dental procedures in the Bowen area,” said Don Baxter, Executive Director of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations. “Setting up a helpline and making provision for swift HIV testing where necessary will help to allay community concerns and ensure that any person at risk is well supported.”
Transmission of HIV from a dentist to a patient is very rare, Mr Baxter noted, though there have been a handful of cases of transmission reported in medical literature. Surgical procedures where there is poor visibility in a confined space are considered to be a potential risk for the transmission of blood borne viruses.
“Under national and state Guidelines, a dentist who is HIV positive can still practice, but he or she must not undertake exposure-prone procedures, where accidental injury could expose a patient to HIV,” said Mr Baxter.
The HIV-infected dentist had done the right thing in immediately alerting the state health authorities upon receiving her diagnosis, and should be commended, Mr Baxter added.
“The newly diagnosed dentist has behaved in a responsible, professional manner and Queensland Health has promptly set up the necessary systems to protect public health,” said Mr Baxter. “At this point, we all hope that no patient has been exposed to HIV and that the dentist will receive the support and treatment she needs in dealing with her HIV diagnosis.”
“Notifying the authorities about her infection would have been challenging personally and professionally for the dentist,” said Mr Baxter. “We urge all media to respect her privacy at this difficult time.”
For further comment call Don Baxter on 0419 223 560
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14 August 2006
National AIDS body welcomes Bill & Melinda Gates fresh and challenging approach to reversing the HIV/AIDS pandemic
Bill and Melinda Gates’ challenging approach to reversing the HIV epidemic was welcomed today by the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), said its Executive Director, Don Baxter.
Both Melinda and Bill Gates were keynote speakers at the Opening Session of the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto this morning (Sydney time), along with UNAIDS chief, Dr Peter Piot.
“The Gates Foundation has made HIV/AIDS its no.1 priority and is putting in large amounts immediately for programs in treatments, prevention and research”, Baxter said.
But more importantly, the Gates’s are providing inspiring personal leadership with a refreshing, clear-eyed focus on what actually works – free of prejudice and doctrinaire religious overtones”, Baxter said.
“Melinda Gates’ challenge to the world’s politicians to see sex workers not as vectors of HIV infection but as essential allies and crucially well-placed educators was refreshing – and a welcome, direct challenge to policies of the Bush administration, the Vatican and to many Islamic countries”, Baxter said.
Both the Gates’s and Dr Piot emphasised the need to focus prevention on populations where the HIV infections are occurring, emphasising gay men, injecting drug use, disempowered sex workers and the many women who are not in a position to enforce safe sex, even within their marriage.
“All Australian governments need to remain vigilant in their focus on gay men’s programs”, Baxter said.
“The Victorian government has taken its eye off the ball and seen a 25% increase in HIV infections over the last 12 months – and a 100% increase since 1998”, he said.
“The Gates’ mission to put the power of decision-making on HIV prevention in the hands of women is admirable, though challenging,” Baxter said.
“The Australian government has already identified this direction as essential by emphasising gender equality in its recent White Paper on Australia’s Development program, released in April”, Baxter said. “The Gates Foundation’s commitment to empowering women it will work in synergy with that goal”’ he said.
Further information:
Don Baxter (Executive Director) [in Sydney] 0419-223-560
Ian Rankin (President) [in Toronto] 0406-375-380
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7 July 2006
Public health is the critical issue in blood bank policy, says peak AIDS organisation
A complaint about the Red Cross’s blood donation policies will be considered by the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal in Tasmania.
Under existing Red Cross policy, all men who are sexually active with other men are asked to wait 12 months after they last had sex before donating blood.
This policy has become the subject of a discrimination complaint in Tasmania.
“Asking men who have sex with men to defer blood donation for 12 months after their last sex act has reduced the number of available blood donors in this country,” said Ian Rankin, president of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO). “However it has also reduced the level of blood-borne viruses out of the blood supply.”
The complaint was brought to the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner by Michael Cain of Launceston, Tasmania, who was ineligible to donate blood in 2004. It has now been referred to the state’s Anti-Discrimination Tribunal.
Mr Cain was then in a monogamous sexual relationship and felt that having to wait for twelve months after male-to-male sex was unnecessary, discriminatory and disrespectful.
AFAO and other AIDS organisations to date however have supported the existing policy on public health grounds.
The prevalence of HIV in Australian blood donors under the current policy is 0.0005%, whereas research shows that among Sydney gay men it is around 14 %.
AFAO president Ian Rankin explained that although he considered the current policy reasonable in the context of the Australian HIV epidemic, such policies need be open to review.
“The 12 month deferral policy for men who have sex with men was put in place many years ago when screening technologies were less advanced,” Rankin said. “If a review identifies a better way of doing things, we would support reform.”
Rankin emphasised that blood donation policy is a complex matter and the chief concern must always be the safety and reliability of the blood supply.
Contacts
Ian Rankin, AFAO President 0406 375 380
Don Baxter, AFAO Executive Director 0419 223 560
Hull, P et al. The Sydney Gay Community Periodic Survey: February 1996 to August 2005, 2006. P 17
Friday 2 June 2006
HIV/AIDS Global Declaration for 2006-2010 a missed opportunity
The Global Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS for 2006-2010 was a disappointment and an unfortunate missed opportunity said Don Baxter, Executive Director of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), today.
The Declaration, released today [2 June 2006 New York time] has been negotiated over the last 3 days at a United Nations General Assembly Special Session in New York which reviewed the global response to HIV/AIDS over the last 5 years and considered plans for the future.
“This was the chance to provide an inspirational framework which could have galvanised the world’s response and started reversing the impact of the AIDS epidemic on a global scale”, Baxter said.
“Unfortunately this Declaration fails to provide clear directions forward – nor the targets and timelines that the 2001 Declaration so successfully provided,” Baxter said. “It’s likely to let recalcitrant countries off the hook, eventually leading to worse epidemics for them”, he said.
"Political interventions by a range of governments, particularly by the US and by members of the Organisation of Islamic Countries – sometimes all in unholy alliance with the Holy See – lead to compromises and confusing language which will undermine the necessary focus on the populations where most HIV infections are occurring", Baxter said.
“When political imperatives and religious prejudice are allowed to drive public health the outcomes are always for the worse”, Baxter said.
“However, despite its blandness and lack of direction the Declaration does include some valuable commitments and undertakings which, if vigorously pursued and implemented, could still possibly underpin a successful global response by 2010,” Baxter said.
Baxter said the commitments and undertakings in the Declaration that were of value included to provide the funding needed, that all countries committed to developing national plans with ambitious targets for prevention and for access to treatments, commitment to working in partnership with people with HIV/AIDS and affected communities, improved emphasis on human rights and better monitoring and evaluation of national responses.
Further information:
Don Baxter (AFAO Executive Director) mob. 0419-223-560
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Tuesday 14 March 2006
Leadership is vital in the fight against HIV/AIDS
Australia’s peak HIV/AIDS community organisation welcomes the Queen’s declaration of the need of the Commonwealth to respond comprehensively to AIDS, and warns against complacency in the Australian epidemic.
“Leadership is vital in addressing our most challenging global health issue,” said Ian Rankin, President of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO). “The comments by Her Majesty bring an important reminder that we must be courageous in reducing HIV transmission and supporting people living with HIV. The challenges are formidable around the world but also ongoing in Australia.”
Australia has a good record on responding to the threat of HIV, but Rankin warned that recent increases in infections show that the commitments of government, the community sector and of sexually active individuals needs to be strong and ongoing.
“Although Australia has responded well to AIDS over the last two decades, more needs to be done to keep HIV infection rates down.” Ian Rankin observed.
Since 2000 the rate of new diagnoses of HIV have risen from 656 a year to 912 last financial year. Current indications are that calendar year 2005 will record an even higher number of people newly diagnosed with HIV.
“Yesterday the Victorian Department of Health announced there was a 28% increase in diagnosis in that state last year,” Rankin said. “If this trend continues we could see double the current number of people living with HIV in Australia in the next decade.”
“The reasons for increases in HIV diagnoses are complex and the HIV community sector has responded by producing education materials addressing sexual activities and risk,” said Rankin. “We need to communicate with people at risk of HIV infection, primarily gay men in the Australian epidemic, in direct and explicit terms and in a manner that supports effective sexual decision making”
Rankin concluded, “In the last month we have had the Queen of Australia and the former President of the United States Bill Clinton in Australia talking about the need to respond effectively to HIV and AIDS. We need to take these messages seriously and ensure that both at home and abroad, we have the courage to do our best to respond to AIDS.”
Further information:
Ian Rankin (AFAO President) mobile 0406-375-380
Don Baxter (AFAO Executive Director) mobile 0419-223-560
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22 February 2006
AFAO welcomes AusAID initiatives for HIV/AIDS
The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) welcomes today’s announcement of the establishment of the Asia Pacific Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS and Foreign Minister Downer’s co-signing with President Bill Clinton of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between AusAID and the William J. Clinton Foundation, aimed at improving HIV treatments access in the Asia Pacific region.
“The Clinton Foundation has been instrumental in negotiating much-reduced prices for both HIV drugs and associated diagnostic tests”, said Mr Ian Rankin, National President of AFAO.
“As a HIV-positive person I know how important these are for our colleagues with HIV in Asian and Pacific countries and particularly urgently required in Papua New Guinea,” he said
“We commend Minister Downer’s long-standing and intensifying commitment to combating the HIV epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region”, said Mr Rankin.
“The two initiatives announced today confirm AusAID’s shift to a more strategic, systemic and effective approach to responding to the HIV epidemics in the region. This enhanced approach has been increasingly evident since Mr Downer’s establishment of an Australian HIV ambassador position in 2004 and the appointment of Annmaree O’Keeffe to the position”, Mr Rankin said.
Mr Rankin pointed out that AFAO and its member organisations are playing increasing roles in the region, focussing on HIV prevention, treatments access, policy development and advocacy and community mobilisation in the face of emerging epidemics.
“We look forward to working with the Asia Pacific Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, the Lowy Institute for International Policy and the Clinton Foundation in strengthening the community response and improving access to treatment, care and prevention services”, Mr Rankin said.
[The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) is the peak national federation for the HIV community-based response, providing national leadership, co-ordination and support to the national and regional policy, advocacy and health promotion response to HIV/AIDS.]
Further information:
Ian Rankin (AFAO President) mobile 0406-375-380
Don Baxter (AFAO Executive Director) mobile 0419-223-560
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7 November 2005
AFAO announces new President
The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) today announced the election of a new president, Ian Rankin, at its annual general meeting on 5th November.
“Ian Rankin has a wealth of experience at the highest levels of the community AIDS sector, having represented people living with HIV at state, national and ministerial advisory levels for a decade,” said Don Baxter, Executive Director of the AFAO. “We welcome his return to the national arena.”
The current set of National Strategies in HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Sexually Transmissible Infections and Indigenous Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses offer opportunities to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of Australia’s response to HIV, according to the new President.
“Responding to HIV/AIDS in Australia requires consistent effort, responsiveness and clarity,” said Rankin. “We must continue to frankly engage with the realities of how people live their lives to reduce transmission of HIV. There are increasingly complex challenges facing people living with HIV/AIDS and we must strive to find the best responses that support sustainable enhancements to their quality of life.”
Ian was a former President of the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) (1997-98), the AIDS Action Council of the ACT (1995-97) and convenor of PLWHA ACT. He is currently a member of the ACT Sexual Health, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases Ministerial Advisory Council.
Ian replaces outgoing President Dr Darren Russell.
“Darren has made a vitally important contribution to the Australian AIDS response” Ian said today. “His skill, energy and pragmatism will be missed, however we are fortunate that he remains closely associated with Australia’s response to HIV/AIDS in other capacities.”
Media Contacts:
Ian Rankin AFAO President 0406 375 380
Mark Bebbington Acting Executive Director AFAO 02 8568 1107
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6 October 2005
Government brothels flip flop fails Tasmanians says AFAO
“The Tasmanian government’s back-flip on sex industry reform would lead to worse health outcomes for Tasmanians”, said Don Baxter, Executive Director of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) today.
AFAO was responding to the announcement by Tasmanian Attorney-General, Judy Jackson, that it would reverse the direction of its sex industry reform and soon propose legislation to ban all sexual service providers.
“The over-whelming evidence is that this approach will not prevent brothels from operating – it will just force them further underground and further foster a ‘black-market’ sex industry”, Baxter said.
“The predictable result, seen in every jurisdiction that tries this approach, is reduced access by health educators, increased corruption among police and local government officials and exploitation of the workers involved – including forced non-use of condoms”, he said.
“The ultimate outcome will be worse health outcomes for both sex workers and the many clients of sex workers in Tasmania: there will be increases in sexually-transmitted diseases and ultimately, some HIV transmissions”, he said.
Baxter pointed out that the proposed legislation is directly contradictory to the recently adopted 5th National HIV/AIDS Strategy and the 1ST National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Strategy.
“Under our National Strategies Australia has the lowest rate of HIV/AIDS among sex workers in the world and there has been no recorded case of HIV transmission is a sex industry setting in Australia”, Baxter said.
“We have had tremendous success in limiting the impact of HIV”, said Baxter, “largely achieved through the voluntary development of a strong safe sex culture within the sex industry”.
“We can understand the government’s frustration with the ‘head-in-the-sand’ of the Tasmanian Legislative Council but we urge the government to show true leadership and not proceed down this damaging and ultimately self-defeating path”, Baxter said.
Further information: Don Baxter (Executive Director, AFAO) 0419-223-560
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5 July 2005
Asian gay communities confront HIV: but is support too little and too late?
Gay communities across Asia are rapidly trying to mobilise against HIV—but with minimal resources and flaccid government support. The International Conference on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) over last weekend in Kobe, Japan, allowed an assessment of where we are at across the Asia Pacific region. Don Baxter, Executive Director of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), provides this overview.
“The energy emerging was extraordinarily heartening”, said Don Baxter, AFAO`s Executive Director. “The Gay-MSM Satellite workshop had 70 registrations beforehand but 300 people turned up! Other gay-MSM sessions in the Conference were also well-attended”.
The half-day Satellite titled “Challenges in establishing and implementing gay-MSM prevention programs in politically difficult environments” was organised by AFAO and its co-partners: OCCUR Japanese Gay and Lesbian Association, and Family Health International.
Speakers from Vietnam, China, Japan and Nepal spoke about the challenges they face. The audience, primarily gay men from 17 Asian countries, then broke into small groups discussions—all-too-brief for the range of issues facing us all. In many of these countries, for instance, community organisations cannot even be legally established without government sponsorship and close oversight. In Vietnam any meeting of more than 5 people requires a government permit.
Sunil Pant from Nepal’s Blue Diamond Society gave an electrifying presentation on doing gay community work in the midst of a civil war. Graphic slides of Nepalese gay men regularly bashed by the Nepalese security forces and police devastated the audience.
Disturbingly, the latest regional statistics of HIV prevalence presented at the Satellite show prevalence rates in many Asian gay communities approaching or already past the “take-off rate” of 2% for a major epidemic within the gay community. Bangkok is already beyond 17%—approaching that of inner Sydney. Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City appears to be 8%; most major Chinese cities are reporting 1%–3%.
But the exciting and innovative prevention programs reported are in their early stages: often operating largely voluntarily and in some cases only semi-legally.
“The eagerness, energy—and bravery—of many of the guys at the workshop was admirable”, said Baxter. “If governments and international donors can make funds available immediately—and quite modest amounts can go a long way at this stage—then many cities will be able to avoid devastating epidemics in their gay communities”, he said.
The outlook is not all bleak. Baxter had seen similar energy and commitment in Beijing the previous weekend at a national gay and lesbian health, HIV and human rights.
AFAO and the Levi Strauss Foundation co-funded the three day workshop bringing together over 70 gay and lesbian activists from most of China’s major cities. One-day sessions were held on HIV treatments, gay websites (China has more than 300) and lesbian health and activism. Two days were then spent on considering establishing on national organisation to represent the Chinese Tong-zhi (gay and lesbian) communities. The meeting decided to institute a nation-wide consultation process to build support for the national organisation proposal.
“With the Chinese government rapidly changing its approach to the HIV epidemic AFAO was pleased to assist our Tongzhi brothers and sisters moving to a position where they can influence the central government to adopt the best possible policies”, Baxter said. “This is a novel development for China—and another illustration of how HIV changes the way governments need to operate”, he said.
As an indication of the changes underway the Chinese government brought Chengdu gay HIV activist Xiao Dung to Kobe for the ICAAP Conference China Forum, along with a sex worker and an injecting drug user. The China Forum was led by Chinese Vice-Minister for Health, Wang Longde; Xiao Dung and his other community colleagues provided extensive input and discussion with Vice-Minister Wang Longde before a large international (Chinese-speaking audience). Such a move would have been unimaginable only 12 months ago, Baxter said.
Many other Asian governments however, are moving culpably slowly, not least the Japanese government, hosts of the ICAAP Conference. Many ICAAP participants were shocked to learn of the Japanese government’s abject failure to fund any comprehensive HIV program in the gay community—yet that community is where 60% of the new infections are occurring; a fact the Japanese government consistently fails to mention, including in the Opening Plenary speech. Even UNAIDS Regional Director, Prasada Rao, felt it necessary to publicly criticise the host government.
Surprisingly, the Thai government has similarly failed to act as yet on the appallingly high rate of 17% seroprevalence in Bangkok, even though it has known about it for 2 years. On the other hand, Baxter said it appears Vietnam is now moving rapidly to allow the establishment of HIV community organisations
In another promising development, announced at the Kobe ICAAP, the Naz Foundation in India appears to have successfully negotiated funding for a major regional conference in 2006 aimed at providing a forum for key gay-MSM HIV activists to influence political decision-makers and donor agencies towards a comprehensive and vigorous program in gay-MSM communities. Planning is in its early stages.
Baxter also noted that the Queer Sexualities Research Conference for lesbian and gay researchers later this week in Bangkok will provide an opportunity to keep the momentum seen at the Kobe ICAAP to keep developing.
“Asian gay communities need programs developed on the basis of good social research”, Baxter said. “The Sexualities Conference comes just at the right time to identify and encourage Asian researchers and to build support for what is still considered controversial work in many Asian universities”, he said.
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5 May 2005
Government tendering process contributed to increased HIV infections says national AIDS body.
The Queensland government must take some of the blame for the further 19.2% increase in HIV infections in the state said Mr Don Baxter, Executive Director of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), today.
Mr Baxter was commenting on statistics released today by the Queensland Health Department which showed a rise of 19.2% increase in HIV infections in Queensland.
“Queensland had a strong warning two years ago in 2003, with a 20% increase in infections reported that year”, Mr Baxter said.
“Instead of immediately putting in place a vigorous, co-ordinated response – as New South Wales did – the Queensland government instead put the whole HIV program out to competitive tender”, he said.
“This 15 month process pre-occupied and distracted the Health Department and the HIV agencies from focussing on the rise in infections in 2003 and 2004”, Baxter said. “Everyone took their eyes off the main game so it’s not surprising that we now have further rises reported in Queensland in 2005 – while New South Wales is going the other way”, Baxter said.
Mr Baxter said government and community health agencies need to work closely together, particularly in sensitive areas like HIV. “Competitive tendering processes necessarily drive them apart and in this case contributed to the increased infection rate”, he said.
“It is a pity that Queensland did not learn the lesson that competitive tendering processes applied to community health programs do more damage than good, a lesson the ACT government provided for the rest of Australia in the mid-1990s”, he said.
Further information:
Don Baxter (Executive Director, AFAO) 0419-223-560
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28 February 2005
STIs and HIV campaign needed all over the country says national AIDS body.
"The 'Safe Sex - No regrets' media campaign should be running on mainstream media all across the country," said Dr Darren Russell, President of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) today.
Dr Russell was welcoming the launch this morning by the NSW Health Department of its media campaign promoting condom use to combat the rises in chlamydia, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. A major feature of the campaign will be TV advertisements on popular TV programs such as Rove Live and Desperate Housewives - but they will be seen only by New South Wales viewers.
"AFAO calls on the other states and territories and the Commonwealth to take up the 'Safe sex - No Regrets' campaign and make sure we have a national impact against STIs and HIV increases", Dr Russell said. "These bacteria and viruses don't recognize state boundaries", he said.
"Chlamydia is now the most prevalent infectious disease in Australia, we've had rises in HIV infections and we have epidemics of syphilis and gonorrhoea at take-off point in many cities - not just in Sydney", Dr Russell said.
"Infection with an STI can have a 'double-whammy' impact on the likelihood of HIV transmission: it can make an HIV-negative person more susceptible to infection with HIV - and it makes an HIV-positive person more infectious", Dr Russell said.
Dr Russell pointed out it had been more than 10 years since Australia last had a national HIV prevention campaign.
"The rises in STIs have created a different environment which needs concerted national action and additional resources if we are to reduce infections, particularly the serious and long-term impacts of HIV infection and of chlamydia's effect on pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancies", he said.
Note - information on the Safe Sex - No regrets' campaign can be found at http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/sexualhealth/campaigns.html
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24 November 2004
The HIV virus is still winning easily – Strong leadership and innovative programs needed
“Bold political leadership, innovative programs – and more dollars - are needed to challenge the HIV/AIDS epidemic’s unabated expansion world-wide”, said Dr Darren Russell, President of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), today.
In releasing their annual ‘AIDS Epidemic Update’ today the World Health Organisation and UNAIDS reported the continued growth of the epidemic on all continents and emphasised its rapid expansion in Asia and Eastern Europe. WHO/UNAIDS reports 39.4 million people now have the HIV virus, with 4.9 million becoming infected last year.
“We welcome Prime Minister’s Howard’s call at the APEC Conference on Sunday for strong political leadership on HIV/AIDS in Asian and Pacific countries”, Dr Russell said.
“Asian and Pacific political leaders must develop the courage to adopt innovative but politically contentious programs if major epidemics are to be avoided,” said Dr Russell.
“The essential package involves needle and syringe programs, empowering sex workers to insist on condom use, challenging men’s power to demand unprotected sex with women, challenging HIV stigma and discrimination and working with their gay communities”, Dr Russell said. “None of these are easy – but Australia has shown it can be done – and that it is fundamental for a successful response”, Dr Russell said.
“The Bangkok International AIDS Conference in July demonstrated that most Asian countries could still avoid major epidemics if they focussed on the populations where the infections are currently occurring – injecting drug users, sex workers and their clients, itinerant populations and homosexual men and their partners”, Dr Russell said.
Dr Russell noted that Australia must also take care not to be hypocritical. “Our own national leadership has been faltering over the last few years, a problem identified in the government’s own review of the 4th National HIV Strategy”, said Dr Russell. “We look forward to Mr Howard support to revitalise Australia’s response as well”, he said.
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19 May 2004
Further rises in NSW HIV infections ring warning bells nationally says Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations
The further rises in HIV infections in NSW announced today ring warning bells for the federal government, other states and territories and for Australia’s gay communities, said Dr Darren Russell, President of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO).
The New South Wales Health Department released figures showing a further increase of 6% in HIV infections during calendar year 2003. This increase followed a 15% rise for 2002 in NSW, a 20% rise in Queensland in that year and a further 6% rise in Victoria, its third year of increases. Smaller rises were reported in South Australia and Western Australia for 2002.
“We’ve known about these rises nationally for over 12 months yet the federal government has failed to provide any discernible leadership, co-ordination or strategy to turn around the increases in HIV infections nationally and then drive them down,” Dr Russell said.
Dr Russell said the NSW government and the gay community in Sydney did respond quickly in 2003 and had put in place a comprehensive program in the second half of the year.
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18 February 2004
AFAO Welcomes Australian Government Commitment to Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria
Australia’s peak HIV/AIDS community organisation, the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), has welcomed the announcement today by Foreign Minister Hon. Alexander Downer MP that the Australian Government will commit $25million over three years to the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.
“The war against HIV/AIDS is clearly not being won globally or in our region”, said Don Baxter, AFAO’s Executive Director. “We need even stronger financial commitments by wealthy countries like Australia to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS and provide treatment and care for those already living with disease”, he said.
“This announcement of support for the Global Fund, while modest against some other donors’ contributions, is therefore most timely and welcome”, Baxter said.
“HIV/AIDS is not only devastating on individuals and communities, it also raises the potential for serious economic and political destabilisation, as can now be seen in sub-Saharan Africa”, Baxter said.
“Therefore from humanitarian, economic and national security perspectives, it is in Australia’s long-term interests to do all we can now to support the global and regional responses to HIV/AIDS”, Baxter said.
AFAO notes that the UN Secretary General has estimated that a minimum of $US 10 billion dollars is required annually to mount an effective global response to HIV/AIDS. Currently, less than half of that amount is being generated. Therefore AFAO will continue to advocate for further increases in Australia’s HIV/AIDS international assistance.
“Although Australia is making an important financial contribution to international HIV/AIDS efforts through initiatives like the Global Fund, we must along with other developed countries provide even more funding assistance to help try and turn the tide of the global pandemic,” Baxter said.
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