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Borough tops the league for sexually transmitted disease
CAMDEN has been crowned the chlamydia capital of Britain, holding the highest number of sufferers in the country.
Figures revealed in Parliament show 18,667 new cases of the sexually transmitted disease were recorded between 1997 and 2005. In 2005 Camden had 2,491 cases beating neighbours Westminster with 1,684 and Islington with just 43.
Councillor Jonathan Simpson, who is on the HIV/AIDS liaison group, said: “This proves the need for the council to urgently publicise their long-awaited sexual health strategy. I know that with the new administration taking over, things can be delayed but work has been going on for quite a while.”
He added: “With chlamydia it’s quite often women’s health that suffers long-term and it’s really something the council and Primary Care Trust (PCT) should be looking at.
“We’ve the second highest HIV infection rate in the country. It shows a desperate need for some strategic thinking, looking at prevention and education.
“There needs to be much more education about this and I hope it’s something which will not just be taken up in terms of adult social care but with young people as well.”
Chairman of the health scrutiny panel councillor David Abrahams said: “I’m not surprised the figures are so bad. I’m extremely concerned to note that rates are high compared to other places. We’ve identified it as a priority and that’s recognised in the fact that the sexual health strategy is to be discussed at our next meeting in April 10.”
Chlamydia is known as the silent infection because it can go undetected for years. It is a urinary infection which can lead to infertility and early miscarriage. |
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