Eire has unveiled a sweeping new Nationwide Sexual Well being Technique geared toward remodeling entry to sexual well being companies over the subsequent decade, with a robust emphasis on prevention, fairness, and integration throughout the healthcare system.
The technique, overlaying the interval from 2025 to 2035, was launched by Minister for Well being Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Minister of State for Public Well being, Wellbeing and the Nationwide Medicine Technique Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. It units out a complete framework to deal with the evolving challenges of sexual well being in Eire, together with rising charges of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), persistent stigma, and unequal entry to care.
“This complete Technique displays the evolving alternatives and challenges we face and descriptions the steps we should take to make sure a more healthy future for everybody, regardless of their age, gender, orientation, ethnicity, or background,” mentioned Carroll MacNeill on the launch. “Our focus now could be on persevering with to develop and increase companies that meet the wants of our inhabitants at each stage of life.”
Entry to companies
The technique builds on the muse of the 2015-2020 plan, which was prolonged throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. It introduces 4 core objectives: selling sexual well being training, increasing equitable entry to companies, supporting reproductive alternative, and strengthening surveillance and analysis. The primary of three motion plans, overlaying 2025–2028, was revealed alongside the technique and descriptions speedy implementation steps.
Among the many key measures are expanded entry to contraception via the Free Contraception Scheme, elevated availability of STI testing – together with dwelling testing kits – and enhanced assist for HIV prevention and remedy, together with Pre-Publicity Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Publish-Publicity Prophylaxis (PEP).
The technique additionally commits to growing a brand new Mannequin of Take care of sexual well being companies, with a concentrate on geographic fairness and integration into major care.
Murnane O’Connor described the technique as “a big step ahead in our efforts to guard and promote sexual well being and wellbeing for everybody dwelling in Eire.”
“This Technique displays a contemporary, inclusive and evidence-based method, one which empowers folks with the knowledge, entry and assist they should make knowledgeable selections and keep away from pointless dangers, whereas supporting wholesome relationships,” she mentioned.
Supporting justice sector
The technique additionally features a dedication to assist the Justice sector and Cuan in stopping home, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), and to align with Eire’s worldwide obligations beneath EU, UN, and WHO frameworks.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) welcomed the technique, highlighting the more and more central position of neighborhood pharmacies in delivering sexual well being companies.
“As essentially the most accessible healthcare suppliers, Irish neighborhood pharmacies play an more and more necessary position in delivering sexual well being companies as a part of community-based healthcare,” an IPU spokesperson mentioned.
Pharmacists already present emergency contraception with out prescription, dispense free contraception to girls aged 17–35 beneath the HSE-funded scheme, and provide confidential consultations on STI prevention and remedy. Additionally they dispense PrEP to eligible people and administer HPV vaccines privately to these aged 16–44.
Empowering pharmacists
The IPU mentioned it was notably inspired by proposals to empower pharmacists to provoke and prolong prescriptions for contraception and to dispense PEP, particularly in rural or out-of-hours settings.
“This expanded position is welcomed and guarantees to boost the sexual well being companies offered by pharmacies,” the spokesperson mentioned. “Nevertheless, satisfactory resourcing is important to make sure its success.”
Europe’s rising STI charges
The technique’s publication comes amid rising concern throughout Europe about rising STI charges and uneven entry to prevention and remedy companies.
In line with the European Centre for Illness Prevention and Management (ECDC), infections corresponding to gonorrhoea, syphilis, and chlamydia are growing in practically all EU/EEA nations, with important variation in nationwide responses.
Northern and Western European nations – together with Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany – have led the best way with complete sexual training and sturdy public well being campaigns. In distinction, a number of Southern and Japanese European nations proceed to face cultural and monetary obstacles to implementing comparable measures.
Entry to HIV prevention instruments corresponding to PrEP additionally varies extensively. France, Germany, and Spain have established nationwide programmes with sturdy uptake, whereas many Central and Japanese European nations lack formal initiatives because of regulatory or funding constraints.
Surveillance programs are equally inconsistent.
Nordic nations preserve real-time information assortment, whereas others battle with underreporting and restricted laboratory capability. The ECDC has warned that antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhoea is an rising risk and has known as for better harmonisation of insurance policies and improved entry to companies throughout the bloc.
Eire’s new technique aligns with these EU-wide priorities, notably in its emphasis on built-in care, expanded entry, and data-driven coverage. The federal government has dedicated to cross-sectoral collaboration and public engagement in shaping the subsequent two motion plans, due in 2028 and 2031.
“The urgency of coordinated motion is evident,” mentioned Professor Mary Horgan, Eire’s Interim Chief Medical Officer. “Sexual well being is a key a part of total well being and wellbeing, but additionally of wider public well being and of an infection management.”
With the publication of the Nationwide Sexual Well being Technique 2025–2035, Eire has positioned itself on the forefront of a renewed European effort to deal with sexual well being with readability and inclusivity.
