Public health: prevention of AIDS and other communicable diseases, Community action programme 1996-2000

fThe Committee has adopted the draft recommendation for second reading by Mr. Nfroel MAMERE (F, ARE) on the common position established by the Council with a view to the adoption of a EP and Council decision adopting a programme of EU action on the prevention of AIDS and other communicable diseases within the framework for action in the field of public health 1996-2000. The Committee adopted amendments tabled by the rapporteur which, amongst others, aim to strengthen the action programme by insisting on consistent action for prevention (the use of condoms, campaign for safe sex etc), by focusing on cooperation with non-governmental organisations, especially the patients' ones. Sterile, one-shot syringes should be distributed and arrangements for them to be collected after use and destroyed safety should be introduced. The establishment of substitution treatment programmes should be introduced, as well as campaigns emphasizing the need to avoid unsafe sexual practices or unprotected sex. The Committee urged the Commission to produce a proposal in order to ensure maximum security for blood transfusions and establish at EU level a warning and rapid information system exchange system in the event of epidemic outbreaks.