Sex disease fight gets more funds

Press, 24 October 1989, Page 5

Sex disease fight gets more funds

Wellington reporter

Improved funding for sexually transmitted disease programmes to complement the Govrnment’s A.1.D.5.control strategy was announced yesterday by the Minister of Health, Ms Clark.

Central to the new national S.T.D. strategy is an additional $1,535 million for area health boards, which are under-funded in this area. Boards will have to apply for the funds. The Auckland board received a grant of. $660,000 for S.T.D. and other programmes earlier this year. “Adequately controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases is an important public health issue,” said Ms Clark. “Yet for too long services catering for those with sexually transmitted diseases have been the

poor relation of the health services. “This is partly because there is no articulate and visible constituency arguing for improvements,” she said. The new position of national co-ordinator to develop a strategy for S.T.D. programmes would soon be appointed. This person would help develop methods for monitoring the spread of S.T.Ds. and assist with developing regional services based on local needs. A handbook was being prepared for health professionals and would be published early next year.