Vol. 491 No. 1
82 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children affected by HIV and AIDS who are living with a parent or both parents suffering from HIV or AIDS or who have lived with a deceased parent with HIV or AIDS. [11470/98]
83 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children under 18 years suffering from HIV or AIDS; and the percentage of the total HIV and AIDS population this figure represents. [11471/98]
84 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will outline care programmes under the health, social and emotional areas available to children who are suffering from and affected by HIV and AIDS. [11472/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 83 and 84 together.
There are no statistics available on the total number of children affected by HIV and AIDS who are living with a parent or both parents or who have lived with a deceased parent with HIV or AIDS. However, in a report prepared by the consultant in paediatric infectious diseases at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, in January 1997, it was indicated that paediatric care was being provided to approximately 90 families affected by the disease. Statistics on reported cases of HIV-AIDS are available to 31 December 1997. The cumulative numbers of children with HIV and with AIDS reported to that date are as follows: 129 of HIV cases which represents 6.97 per cent of the total HIV reported positive cases of 1,850 and 18 AIDS cases which represents 2.95 per cent of the total reported AIDS cases of 609. Of these 609 AIDS cases 311 have died, seven of whom were children.
Specialist treatment and care of children who are HIV positive or who have AIDS is provided at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin. A number of children are receiving complicated therapeutic regimens, with up to seven different medications, some three times a day. In addition, children and their families receive counselling and support. This must continue through school and into adolescence. Because of the improved effectiveness of drug therapy in the treatment of HIV, children are now living longer, healthier lives, but these children will continue to need treatment and care into adulthood.
