New technologies needed to tackle HIV - Öpik

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 22nd Nov 2006

Following the report into HIV released today by the Health Protection Agency, Lembit Öpik, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, has signed an Early Day Motion calling for HIV Prevention,

Commenting, Lembit said,

"This is clearly an issue that is not going away. The level of HIV infections is rising globally. Indeed, contrary to our hopes, the report shows that the rates of HIV is continuing to rise in Wales."

In their report announced today, the Health Protection Agency announced that there are now 63,500 adults living with HIV in the UK.

Further commenting, Lembit said

"It is clear that tackling HIV and Aids requires an holistic approach of promoting safer sex whilst also investing in HIV treatments. This Early Day Motion recognises the importance of investing in new technologies as a vital part of the comprehensive response required to effectively tackle HIV and AIDS"

Ends / Diwedd

Notes:

• "A Complex Picture" is a report on HIV and STIs in the UK and is published by the Health Protection Agency and collaborators in time for World AIDS Day. To see a full copy of the report, see: http://www.hpa.org.uk/publications/2006/hiv_sti_2006/default.htm

• For more information on the Health Protection Agency contact:

http://www.hpa.org.uk/

• World Aids Day is on 1st December 2006. For more information, visit www.worldaidscampaign.org

• The text of Early Day Motion 26 is as follows:

HIV Prevention

"That this House notes that levels of HIV infection are rising globally and over 38 million people worldwide are living with HIV, with women in developing countries disproportionately affected; acknowledges that existing HIV prevention methods help to reduce the risk of HIV transmission and acquisition and should be made available urgently to those who need them, but that existing prevention methods are not enough, particularly for women, due to a combination of biological, social and cultural factors; notes that new prevention technologies such as microbicides and vaccines are designed to complement current prevention efforts and could offer protection from HIV and increase the effectiveness of HIV prevention efforts, and will ultimately benefit women and men all over the world, in the UK as well as countries with a high HIV prevalence; acknowledges that progress has been made in the search for new prevention technologies such as microbicides and vaccines but that challenges remain; welcomes the UK's contribution to the research and development of microbicides and vaccines; and calls upon the Government to use its influence to urge the international community to recognise the importance of investing in new technologies as a vital part of the comprehensive response required to tackle effectively HIV and AIDS."