81079 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

81079 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter July to September 2024 to ‘Reduce HIV transmission and ensure people maintain treatment’ under Outcome 3: New Zealanders have fewer cancers, as part of the New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2019 – 2029?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand continue to work together to implement the HIV Action Plan published in 2023. I am advised that specifically in the quarter July to September 2024, the following activities were progressed: • A new Clinical Advisor, Sexual Health was appointed in Health NZ to provide clinical advice and leadership to support HIV and other sexual health work. • Continued strong focus on connecting with Hauora Māori Partners, refugee migrants and asylum seeker groups, needle exchange services and sex workers to support these communities to be able to deliver future HIV testing. • Community-based providers, including a kaupapa Māori HIV service provider, continued to deliver innovative approaches to expand HIV, syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections testing capabilities. • A working group, primarily involving people living with HIV representing the priority population groups, continued to develop a HIV campaign to challenge stigma and discrimination. Work to test key concepts and gather insights on HIV stigma was completed with their wider communities and networks. • Updated clinical guidance and workforce training for appropriate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) prescribing in primary health care services was promoted across the country.