CTM UHB joins Fast Track Cymru Initiative
Last week on Thursday 13th February, Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership signed the Paris Declaration and joined the Fast Track Cymru Initiative. As a Partnership member, this confirms our commitment as a health board to work collaboratively to end new transmissions of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Over the past five years huge progress has been made in improving access to testing and treatment, and Wales can be proud of the significant reduction seen in new diagnoses of HIV. Between 2015 and 2021 new diagnosis of HIV decreased by 75%. However HIV continues to be an important public health issue.
Fast Track Cymru is a network of cities and regions across Wales working together as part of a new effort to end new transmissions of HIV in Wales by 2030.
Funded by Welsh Government, the Fast Track Cymru network is hosted by Pride Cymru and operates under a national Advisory Council. Fast Track Cymru involves key stakeholders from across Wales, working together in line with the Welsh Government HIV Action Plan for Wales 2023-2026.
CTMUHB’s goal in joining Fast Track Cymru is to encourage and enable collaboration across the health board and with local partners so that we can work together towards an HIV-transmission free 2030, improving prevention, testing, treatment and care, and reducing stigma across our communities.
Dr Rob Green, Public Health Consultant, CTMUHB said: “Advances in treatment, testing and prevention mean that we have an opportunity for a Cwm Taf Morgannwg free of HIV transmission and stigma. Working together as part of the Fast Track movement gives us the best chance to eliminate new cases of HIV in Wales by 2030, by making sure that everyone can know their HIV status, access treatment, prevent transmission, and live free from stigma.”
Councillor Rhys Goode (Bridgend County Borough Council, Fast Track CTM Chair said: “I am proud that today Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board officially becomes part of the Fast Track Cymru family working to eliminate HIV transmissions and stigma in Wales by 2030. In Wales today, too many people have an outdated understanding of HIV and I look forward to CTM playing its part in spreading the message that by 2030 everyone should know their status and that with effective treatment you can’t pass HIV on.”
20/02/2025