Luxembourg, it seems, is following the pattern seen elsewhere. Out of the eight STDs mandated for reporting by medical analysis laboratories and dentists to the health department, five have shown an increase since 2020, health minister Martine Deprez said in a parliamentary response to a question by Greens MP François Bausch.
Notably, cases of chlamydia have seen a significant rise, soaring from 1,003 in 2020 to 1,527 in 2022, marking a staggering 50% increase over two years. Additionally, instances of gonorrhea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and Mpox have also seen a surge during the same period.
Minister Deprez explained that data for the year 2023 is currently under validation and will be published in 2024, although specifics were not provided.
Addressing measures to curb the spread of STDs in Luxembourg, Deprez outlined plans to evaluate the national plan for the Promotion of Emotional and Sexual Health. She also hinted at considering broader distribution of condoms as part of the strategy.
This response indirectly addressed former minister François Bausch’s inquiry about the possibility of providing free condoms in the short term, to which the answer is no. Bausch had advocated for expanding sexual health services by offering free condoms.
Deprez pointed out ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Health, such as condom distributions in schools and at major events, as well as free distribution through approved associations to vulnerable populations.
Furthermore, an awareness campaign on STDs is slated for later this year.
