Malta is no stranger to the increase of HIV infections across Europe, seeing a rise of almost 25 per cent in the first 10 months of this year, when compared with all the new cases registered last year. Data provided by the Health Ministry shows that until the end of October of this year, there were 37 new cases of HIV – nine of whom were migrants, and 17 foreigners. There have been no new cases of Aids.

In 2012, there were 30 cases of HIV and six of Aids. Of these, 18 were migrants (including refugees and asylum seekers), five were foreigners (non-Maltese residents and non-residents) and 13 were Maltese.

Health Promotion Director Charmaine Gauci noted that the upward trend is seen across Europe and is a result of a true increase but also of increased awareness and enhanced access to testing.

Today the world raises awareness of the Aids pandemic which is caused by the spread of HIV infection.

Some 131,000 new HIV cases were reported in 2012 in Europe and nearby countries – an eight per cent rise from the previous year. According to figures issued by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and WHO/Europe, almost 102,000 of these cases were reported in Eastern Europe and central Asia and over 29,000 in the EU/EEA.

At the same time, Aids cases declined by 48 per cent in the EU/EEA, but increased by 113 per cent in the eastern part of the WHO European region between 2006 and 2012.

The report says that the increasing number of Aids cases in the East was indicative of late HIV diagnosis, low treatment coverage and delayed initiation of life-saving treatment.

Dr Gauci said Malta was taking action to contain the spread. Apart from outreach campaigns at university, on the radio and TV, educational sessions are held at workplaces, schools and refugee open centres and a sexual health programme has been devised for youths with intellectual disability.

Meanwhile, a new website – www.sexualhealth.gov.mt – was launched yesterday with specific information about the sexual health of men, women, young people, parents, LGBTI people and seniors.

It includes information on sexually acquired infections and a forum where people can ask questions to sexual health professionals and discuss specific topics.

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Existent sexual health services

Free checkups and treatment for sexually acquired infections at the GU clinic, Mater Dei Hospital. More information on 2122 7981.

HIV Outpatient’s Clinic and Ward, where people with HIV and AIDS are cared for by expert health professionals.

Infectious Disease Unit, where surveillance on infectious diseases like HIV is carried out together with partner notification and screening of contacts.