The number of AIDS cases in all transmission categories has declined since the mid 1990s. This reduction can be primarily attributed to the use of the highly effective anti-retroviral treatments or triple therapy, which prevents or delays the onset of AIDS in HIV positive patients. The most recent data published by the National Disease Surveillance Centre shows that the total number of AIDS cases declined to 21 cases in 2000 compared to 41 in 1999. This brings the total number of reported AIDS cases to 707. There were 13 AIDS related deaths reported in 2000 compared with 17 in 1999. This brings the total number of reported AIDS related deaths to 362.
HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, is now seen as a chronic rather than a fatal illness. However, there is no room for complacency given the recent increase in the reported number of HIV cases. These statistics show that 342 new HIV cases were reported during 2000, an increase of 64% over the previous year. Increases were recorded in all at risk groups.
This Government is committed to giving HIV and AIDS high priority. Since the publication of the first National AIDS Strategy Committee's report in 1992 significant additional funding has been provided to health boards for the development of services. As well as providing primary and hospital care for those infected health boards also fund a range of voluntary agencies involved in HIV-AIDS prevention and care. Since I came into office a programme for antenatal testing for HIV has been introduced. Treatment is available to pregnant women which greatly reduces the chances of their baby being infected with HIV. The programme is being monitored and evaluated to ensure an uptake rate of at least 90%. Preliminary results show that some health boards have already achieved this target while others need to improve the uptake rates.