Taoiseach steps out to Stamp Out Stigma

IN THE first engagement of his third term yesterday, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern helped Dublin AIDS Alliance launch its website, www.stampoutstigma.ie.

The move is part of a campaign aimed at challenging HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

Speaking on Irish Aids Day yesterday, Mr Ahern said he had taken a lead role to raise awareness of the issue: “I think we’re moving away from some of the stigmatisation.

“A lot of work has been done over the last number of years but it is still important that we give appropriate weight to the issue to help change stereotypes.

“I gave time to this issue on the UN stage and Ireland in general has also taken a lead internationally.

“People with HIV are people, we must work with and support to break down these stigmas.”

Some 337 HIV infections were diagnosed in 2006, compared to 318 in 2005.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre data revealed 169 of the cases were hetrosexual transmission and 104 of these people were born in sub-Saharan Africa.

Heterosexual transmission of HIV among Irish-born nationals again increased slightly from 32 cases in 2005 to 33 in 2006.

HIV acquired through intravenous drug use continued to decline, to 57 new cases compared to 66 in 2005 and 71 in 2004.

The most recent statistics on HIV among gay and bisexual men in Ireland showed a 45% increase on infection rates in 2005.