CALD & Migrant Populations Cluster Group.
CEH Co-Manager Alison Coelho has recently become a participant in ASHM’s new Taskforce on BBVs, Sexual Health and COVID-19.
Alison has been allocated to the CALD and Migration Cluster Group within the Clinical Care topic.
The Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) is in its fourth decade working to support the health workforces. It provides professional, resource and policy development, as well as advocacy on behalf of its members and stakeholders with the vision of virtual elimination of HIV, viral hepatitis, other BBVs and significant reduction of sexually transmissible infections.
The Taskforce was formally established on the 20th March 2020 to provide healthcare workers in the BBV and Sexual Health sectors with timely and high-quality evidence and guidance on scientific, clinical, treatment and prevention and research aspects of COVID-19 in relation to their patient populations living with or at risk of BBVS and people in need of sexual health care.
It will operate as a virtual network of experts and key stakeholder representatives.
ASHM’s Taskforce will provide an opportunity for the BBV and sexual health sectors to discuss the scientific, clinical, BBV and sexual health service delivery and social implications of COVID-19, and to provide consistent and evidence-based messaging to the health workforce, sector partners and community.
As a member representing cultural and linguistically diverse communities, MHSS’s input within the taskforce will guide that support.
Representatives from relevant community sectors will be an integral part of the task force ensuring consistent and appropriate messaging is being relayed to both the health workforce and people at risk of and living with BBVs. Where the Taskforce identifies the need for critical updates to communities affected by BBVs in relation to COVID-19, background briefing materials will be produced to support community organisations in developing their own communications and resources where appropriate.
“COVID-19 affects all of us, however having a particular focus on priority populations is critical given that CALD communities, among other marginalised groups, have traditionally experienced barriers to access, contributing to poorer health outcomes. It is essential that strategies and considerations are put into place to ensure the ongoing care and management of people living with BBVs and continued access to sexual health services, while supporting clinicians to connect. We welcome the leadership and sector support provided by ASHM in these difficult times.” Alison states.