Ten-year HIV elimination plan fails to recognise impact on wāhine Māori

New Zealand Sexual Health Society sexual health physician Massimo Giola says physicians mostly only test pa­tients for HIV if they fit the stereotype of “the promiscuous, gay man”.

The LGBTQ+ community, gay and bisexual men are also more confident in getting tested, says Dr Giola: “The gay community has a long history of resilience, agency, positive and proac­tive health-seeking behaviour.”

Dr Aspin says practitioners need to address their “blind spot”, as women living with HIV are experiencing delays in diagnosis because they are not seen as at-risk. He says HIV funding histor­ically goes to male-dominated commu­nity organisations, but the money and resources for eliminating HIV should now be distributed equally among af­fected communities.

At the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa (formerly New Zealand AIDS Founda­tion), chief executive Joe Rich says his group has been serving the LGBTQ+ community for over 40 years.

Positive Women, a support organisa­tion for women and families living with and affected by HIV, is great for people who don’t feel represented by other ser­vices, Mr Rich says.

In a press release, associate health minister Ayesha Verrall says one of the plan’s goals is to “improve Māori health and wellbeing in relation to HIV”.

The plan proposes greater access to sexual health services, greater respon­siveness for HIV in primary care, and more at-home testing options. Action is to focus on: surveillance, information and knowledge systems; prevention and health promotion; testing and link­age to care; and support for people liv­ing with HIV.