Alliance says not enough is being done

Irish response: The Government is not doing enough to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and support, nationally or internationally, the executive director of the Dublin AIDS Alliance has said.

Ms Ann Nolan said government funding for the alliance was cut last year, despite a 22 per cent increase in the number of Irish people testing positive for HIV.

"One person in Ireland is diagnosed with HIV every day. Globally 40 million people have aids. Ireland has an excellent record in overseas aid, but it's not enough. We need to keep the pressure on the Government, particularly during the forthcoming EU presidency, so that treatment is made available globally."

There was still a huge stigma here attached to the disease, Ms Nolan said, and ignorance about how it was spread.

"There is a need for massive resources for a prevention and awareness campaign now. The knowledge, attitudes and awareness survey won't be out until 2007, but smaller AIDS surveys have indicated that while there is a high level of awareness, there is also a high level of ignorance about HIV and AIDS, particularly among young people."

Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday that in February, ministers from EU and Central Asian states will meet in Dublin at an international AIDS conference.

It is being prepared with the UN and the World Health Organisation and will be attended by the EU commissioner for health, Mr David Byrne, and Mr Pat Cox, president of the European Parliament.