June 07, 2017
Maori HIV infections remain high
Complacency and a short-sighted approach to funding medication could be factors in an increase in HIV infection rates in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The latest figures from the AIDS Epidemiology Group shows a record 244 new cases of infection last year, including 15 Maori.
Marama Pala from INA, the Maori, Indigenous and South Pacific HIV and AIDS Foundation, says the number of Maori infections is not going down, which is disappointing,
She says people are most infectious for the six months or so after they contract the virus before the body builds up its defences.
That’s why people need anti retroviral drugs as soon as they are diagnosed, but New Zealand make them available until people are judged sick enough.
"That is the kind of science we need to keep pushing, that as soon as you are diagnosed you get access to medication. The rest of the world, the World Health Organisation is recommending it, UN AIDs is recommending it, and our country is taking a while to catch up with that," Ms Pala says.
She says messages about using condoms and safe sex don’t seem to be getting through, and there are also a new generation of prophylactic drugs which should be made available to high risk groups.
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com