HIV levels hit a record high in Northern Ireland

Over 900 people are now known to be living with the disease - that's up 15% from last year.

The CEO of Positive Life, a HIV charity, said those living with the virus face hugely stigmatising attitudes.

Jacquie Richardson has urged the Assembly to deliver an official Sexual Health Promotion Strategy.

She said:

‘It’s becoming increasingly urgent that the Assembly delivers an official Sexual Health Promotion Strategy. The statistics on HIV in Northern Ireland are alarming, diagnoses are on the rise year on year and those living with HIV face hugely stigmatising attitudes. We are calling on the Assembly to not just to support those living with HIV but also to prioritise for the future by protecting and educating those at risk.’

‘‘The average lifetime cost for treating one HIV infection in the UK is almost £380,000 and we need to remember that HIV is an entirely preventable condition. I hope that Northern Ireland will get behind our effort by signing our petition.’ 

Detail Data Project today launched a journalism project in collaboration with Positive Life entitled ‘Living with HIV in Northern Ireland’. 

To launch the project, Positive Life will host an exhibition in partnership with The Detail Data Project in CastleCourt Shopping Centre on Thursday, October 20^th. The exhibition will offer shoppers and passers-by the opportunity to experience the realities of HIV through real life, photographic accounts from NI residents living with HIV.