The figures announced by RIVM in June were sobering. According to the RIVM, the number of STI consultations at the CSGs increased to 164,715 in 2022. An STI was also diagnosed in 21 percent of the cases. Gonorrhea in particular appears to be on the rise. The number of gonorrhea diagnoses increased by 33 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. In particular, more chlamydia and gonorrhea were diagnosed in women and heterosexual men under the age of 25, according to the institute.
Gonorrhea
Untreated gonorrhea can eventually lead to major health problems. In addition, resistance to certain forms of antibiotics is on the rise. Investing in the fight against gonorrhea is therefore more important than ever.
Handing out condoms during the introduction weeks
“In that respect, the initiative of the RIVM to distribute condoms during the introduction weeks in the student cities and during festivals is excellent,” says Easly CEO Jeroen de Jong. “The number of condoms distributed – 40,000 – is not large, but the action may play a role in bringing about a change in behavior among young people, so that they use a condom more often.”
Timely testing and treatment
However, more is needed than prevention and public campaigns, says De Jong. Timely testing and treatment is also important to stem the rise of gonorrhea and chlamydia. “There is a problem here. You hear student doctors complain that there are long waiting lists at the GGDs. As a result, valuable time is lost. The treatment then starts later and that enables carriers to unwittingly infect others. Not a good thing.”
Easly is a company active in healthcare, with a laboratory that specializes in STI testing. Through the use of digital technology, the company offers online buyers of its tests a fast and anonymous process, requiring no referral and meeting the highest medical standards. The company is NEN and ISO certified and its laboratory is also fully accredited.
Public and private parties must work together
“In the end, RIVM, the GGDs and private providers are fighting the same battle,” says de Jong. “We want to slow down the spread of STIs before antibiotic resistance becomes an insurmountable problem. The government and private test providers can strengthen each other in this battle by joining forces. Public and private parties must work together to shorten waiting times and test in a timely manner on STIs easier and cheaper. Only then can we deal a blow to gonorrhea and chlamydia.”
By: National Education Guide
2023-08-16 14:11:10
#RIVM #GGDs #work #STI #crisis
