GOSHH (Gender Orientation Sexual Health HIV) Limerick are inviting people to take part in a day of action, awareness and connection this World AIDS Day (December 1).
People are encouraged to drop by their office on Davis St to tackle what they describe as “the two biggest challenges in HIV prevention – stigma and accessibility.”
Opening hours will also be extended until 6:30 pm so people can learn more and receive a free, quick and confidential HIV rapid test, as well as two showings of the acclaimed Irish documentary How to Tell a Secret about living with HIV today at 12 pm and 5 pm.
Sexual Health Engagement Coordinator Ayushi Patel said: “This year’s international theme, “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” calls for practical action—and that’s exactly what GOSHH is doing. By offering accessible testing and safe spaces for conversation, we’re helping remove barriers and support a stigma-free community.”
“Even with incredible treatment advances, stigma and late diagnosis are still major hurdles. By offering late-night testing and screening How to Tell a Secret, we’re creating opportunities for conversation, understanding, and early diagnosis.”
People living with HIV who are on effective treatment with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually.
It was recently revealed that a clinic at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) has not accepted new patients in nearly nine months to avail of medication that significantly reduces an individuals risk of contracting HIV due to staffing capacity issues.
The PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) clinic provides daily medication or a series of injections taken by HIV-negative individuals to significantly reduce their risk of contracting HIV through sex or injection drug use.
When taken as prescribed, it can reduce the risk of HIV infection by approximately 99 per cent from sex.
Two clinics in the Mid West, established in 2019, had a wait time of two weeks in 2024, but are currently closed to new appointments.
A spokesman from HSE Mid West told the Limerick Post that there are 1.5 WTE (whole-time equivalent) infectious diseases consultants currently in post at UHL, with recruitment for additional posts underway.