Jan 16, 2026
3 min read
Sanidad aims to reduce the increasing incidence of these diseases by 5% each year
This is Galicia's ambitious plan to combat sexually transmitted infections: 195 million, opportunistic testing for HIV and hepatitis B, and self-sampling for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
The purpose of the document is to reduce the number of these diseases by 5% per year
January 16, 2026 Updated at 17:18 The commitment of the Galician government to the fight against sexually transmitted infections seems solid: almost 200 million euros have been invested in an ambitious plan aimed at prevention and especially early diagnosis.The main novelty is opportunistic screening - using consultations for other medical reasons - for HIV and hepatitis B, and the expansion of screening for hepatitis C, which will cover people aged 40 to 69."If someone goes to a health center or hospital and asks their doctor for an analysis, people who belong to risk groups will be offered a test for HIV and hepatitis B," Public Health Director General Carmen Duran said yesterday.In addition, home self-sampling for rapid gonorrhea and chlamydia testing will be offered.In addition, rapid testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia will be offered, including for risk groups, along with self-testing at home."It is a revolutionary measure in Spain, which is already being implemented in Great Britain," emphasizes Duran.We select the target group and inform you by SMS.Anyone who wants to can request the test through the website and receive it at home, with instructions for conducting it.When they are ready, they just need to deposit it in the mailbox at their health center.
So Sanidade responds to the growing concern of these diseases, which has been on the rise for years.As society and patterns of behavior have changed so much, the regional administration has decided to rethink its approach, so far it has focused on HIV.It will use a special approach authorized by 195 195 million that will cover all diseases and will focus on prevention and early detection, treatment, care for sustainability and improving the quality of life of those affected."In addition, 177 million will be given to specialized equipment and treatment, but we will also make significant efforts to prevent research and public awareness.""What do we want? At least stabilize the incidence of STIs and, if possible, reduce it by 5% every year between now and 2030," Carmen Durán urged.
Who are considered beneficiaries of this plan?According to Saúde Pública, the general public, but paying more attention to the most vulnerable groups, especially those at risk of social exclusion."Also, we will take an approach that corresponds to the risk of each segment of the population. "A person who has never been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease will not be the same as another person who has had two or three in recent years."
Durand himself presented this Friday the main strategic direction of this program, starting with the diagnosis of diseases.For each positive case, careful monitoring will be carried out, identifying their contact with the aim of early prevention for victims and their sexual partners.The most important here will be the gene sequence: "It is no longer enough for us to say: "it is gonococcus or it is syphilis." "We need to know their identities, what their genomic sequence is, to be able to link one outbreak to another and know what is happening in our population." Why is this so important? Because of bacterial resistance. "In England, the target is gonococcus because the antibiotics that have been used or are working, and that is because the resistance has increased to this agent," the expert explained. Iarrangement that helps classify them.
In surveillance, the sentinel network model will be optimized, which will include both primary care centers and hospital care centers, and especially the community pharmacy, which already monitors acute respiratory infection viruses.As far as primary prevention is concerned, vaccination remains central.made to remember that Sergas will continue to distribute preventive materials, such as condoms.
The plan will culminate in an educational, research and communication campaign specifically targeting youth."It is becoming more and more normal for people with STIs to report having chemsex (use of drugs to prolong intercourse for sexual purposes) at the weekend," the director of public health warned.
He concluded, "We need to consider how to explain to the population what it is and what risks it poses to their health."
