The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Advisory Council on AIDS:

     The Hong Kong Advisory Council on AIDS (ACA) held a meeting today (June 23) to receive a briefing from the Department of Health (DH) on the latest developments in global HIV/AIDS strategies, and to discuss ways to further enhance HIV prevention and control measures in Hong Kong. The ACA endorses and commends the one-stop sexual health service provided by the DH for effectively addressing the diverse needs of sexual minorities.

     At the meeting, the DH introduced the "The Global AIDS Strategy for 2026–2031: United towards ending AIDS" released by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in February this year. The strategy sets the target of ending AIDS as a public health threat globally by 2030, while establishing a sustainable long-term response for addressing HIV/AIDS. The DH noted that the strategic directions are highly aligned with Hong Kong's current HIV prevention and control strategy (Recommended HIV/AIDS Strategies for Hong Kong 2022-2027)  and measures. DH will further study the strategy as a reference for formulating the next recommended HIV/AIDS strategy for Hong Kong, with a view to continuously strengthening local prevention and control efforts.

     The DH also briefed the ACA on the comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention services delivered by three programmes at Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre (YMTITC) under Special Preventive Programme, as well as reported on their service scope and effectiveness. The three programmes include the AIDS Counselling and Testing Service, the Therapeutic Prevention Clinic and The Commons. With reference to the recommendations of the World Health Organization and UNAIDS, and adopting a people-centric approach, the DH established The Commons at YMTITC in February 2024, to provide one-stop HIV and viral hepatitis screening, sexual health assessment, and testing and treatment for individual sexually transmitted infections. The Commons also proactively identifies individuals with risk behaviours or those in need to offer them counselling services, and works closely with social welfare organisations to maximise disease prevention efforts under the primary healthcare framework.

     Having operated for around two years with over 2 000 service attendance, a number which continues to grow, The Commons is well-received and supported by its service users. Over 98 per cent of service users have, through The Commons, developed the habit of undergoing regular assessment and screening of sexually transmitted infections, which helps strengthen early case identification and intervention and enhances overall prevention and control effectiveness.

     All ACA members recognised the remarkable results of The  Commons in achieving the objective of integrated prevention, screening and care for multiple conditions, which helps to provide more tailored and accessible comprehensive preventive services for individuals at higher risk of infection.

     Since its establishment in 1990, the ACA has been keeping in view local and international trends and developments relating to HIV infection and AIDS. It has also played a pivotal role in advising the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region  Government on policies relating to the prevention, care and control of HIV/AIDS in Hong Kong. The ACA has published six sets of recommended HIV/AIDS strategies which have served as blueprints for the HIV response in Hong Kong.

Ends/Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Issued at HKT 22:26

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