Sexual Health West (formerly AIDS West ) will celebrate the annual World AIDS Day Concert once again on Thursday next December 1.
The concert running from 8:00pm at St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church in Galway will feature Cois Cladaigh and Bel Canto, is free and open to all.
“We are delighted to be able to host the annual World AIDS Day Concert once again in the beautiful surroundings of St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church in Galway, and we look forward to welcoming back those who have attended over the years, as well as those who would like to come along for the first time – all are welcome to this wonderful concert and entry is free to all.” says Joe McDonagh, CEO of Sexual Health West.
Unfortunately, there are alarming figures from the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC ) which demonstrate that new diagnoses of HIV in Ireland are set to reach a record high for 2022. Figures for week ending November 18 indicate that there has been a staggering 140% increase in new diagnoses of HIV compared to figures for 2021 - these figures are of great concern to Sexual Health West.
Provisional data from the HPSC indicates that there have been 755 new diagnoses of HIV – the corresponding figure at the same time last year was 314 new diagnoses.
“We are however very aware that there would have been less HIV testing due to Covid-19, and therefore under reporting across 2021,” said Mr McDonagh.
“There has also been an increase in the number of new diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections so far in 2022 including a rise in Chlamydia (+52% ), Gonorrhoea (+90% ), Herpes (+24% )and Syphilis (+26% ) , therefore it is essential that we continue to implement, support and promote comprehensive education and prevention measures, including the sexual health education programmes that the Sexual Health West WISER team (West of Ireland Sex Education Resource ) team have developed – see www.bewiser.ie for more info.The World Health Organisation (WHO ) theme for World AIDS Day 2022 is “Equalize”.
“The WHO is calling on global leaders and citizens to recognize and address the inequalities which are holding back progress in ending AIDS and HIV; and to equalize access to essential HIV services for all key populations.We have been very busy since the last concert – after 33 years as being known as AIDS West, we officially changed our name to Sexual Health West in 2020.
“We continued to support those living with HIV across the west of Ireland throughout COVID-19, adapting the way we worked to ensure we were accessible and able to give support to all as required. Our WISER team are busy delivering relationships and sexuality programmes in schools, colleges, third level and in communities ensuring that all have access to education and information regarding their sexual health. We continue to offer Rapid HIV Testing in community settings across the region, and we are now a part of the HSE National Condom Distribution Scheme and have developed a free condoms and lubricant mailing service.
Another significant development has been the publication of our new book entitled ‘Sex Educated’.
Joe McDonagh outlined that “the book idea came from answering thousands of questions over the years of teaching RSE in classrooms, giving our WISER (West of Ireland Sexuality Education Resource ) team a unique and invaluable insight into the minds of young people; their worries, their curiosities, and fears and what information they are unearthing on the internet. This book meets the needs of young people in Ireland right now, and tells them what they want and need to know with evidence-based, factual, age-appropriate information.”
Sex Educated is available on our website at https://sexualhealthwest.ie/World AIDS Day became the first-ever global health day 34 years ago on 1 December 1988. It has developed over the years and is now an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.
If you would like to find out more about any of our services, the concert, our book Sex Educated, or speak to someone at Sexual Health West please call 091 566266 or e: [email protected] for more information.
