The third European HIV-Hepatitis testing week will be held from Friday 20th to Friday 27th November 2015. Testing week this year has expanded to include hepatitis and is now named European HIV-Hepatitis Testing Week. The ultimate goal of European HIV-Hepatitis Testing Week is to make more people aware of their HIV and/ or hepatitis status and reduce late diagnosis by communicating the benefits of testing. The theme for this year’s testing week is Test. Treat. Prevent.
Testing week 2015 offers partners across Europe the opportunity to unite for one week to increase awareness regarding the benefits of HIV and hepatitis testing, so that more people become knowledgeable about their risks, understand that there is effective treatment available and are aware of their HIV and/ or hepatitis status.
Today at least one in three of the 2.3 million people living with HIV in Europe are unaware that they are HIV positive. 50% of those who are HIV positive are diagnosed late both in Europe and in Ireland– which delays access to treatment. This means that many people are not being tested prior to symptoms emerging. Approximately just 3.5% of people living with hepatitis C in Europe receive treatment, meaning many develop chronic hepatitis C which leads to many complications, such as liver cancer. These statistics suggest that we need to be doing more to encourage individuals who are unknowingly living with HIV or Hepatitis to take a test and to better target testing at people who could have been at risk.
The testing week is coordinated by the HIV in Europe Initiative and is supported by international organisations, including UNAIDS, European AIDS Clinical Society and AIDS Action Europe. In 2014, more than 709 organisations from across 56 countries took part in testing week and thousands more people are now aware of their HIV status. Further information and details of supporting and participating organisations within Ireland is available at www.testingweek.eu/home
There are a number of Irish organisations involved in the HIV-Hepatitis Testing Week 2015. See details below:
Dublin
STI Checkpoint for MSM, Outhouse, 105 Capel Street, Dublin 1 01 8734 999
Saturday 21st November. Doors open 1.30pm to 3.00pm
www.outhouse.ie
Gay Men’s Health Service Baggot Street Hospital, 18 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4 01 669 9553
Tuesday 24th to Wednesday 25th November. Doors open 5.00pm to 6.30pm
www.gmhs.ie
Free HIV and STI Testing for all, HIV Ireland, 70 Eccles Street, Dublin 7 01 8733 799
Wednesday 25th November. Doors open 1.00pm
www.hivireland.ie
Cork
Free HIV Testing for all, Sexual Health Centre, 16 Peters Street Cork 021 427 587
Monday 23rd November to Thursday 3rd December
www.sexualhealthcentre.com
Limerick
Free HIV Testing for all, GOSHH, Redwood Place, 18 Davis Street, Limerick
Wednesday 25th to Friday 27th November
www.goshh.ie
For a list of clinics that offer free HIV-Hepatitis testing in Ireland, and sexual health information please see:
www.thinkcontraception.ie
www.man2man.ie
Further information on the latest trends of HIV-Hepatitis in Ireland can be found here.
