The FCSTI is an extra-parliamentary commission. It is a national body that advises the Federal Council and the Federal Administration at a strategic level on ways of preventing and fighting HIV, viral hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections.
Advisory body for national programmes
One of the FCSTI’s main tasks is to advise the federal authorities and the cantons on developing and implementing national programmes to recognise, monitor, prevent and fight HIV, viral hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections. In this capacity, the FCSTI supported the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) in developing the “National programme (NAPS): Stop HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses and sexually transmitted infections”, which was approved by the Federal Council in November 2023.
Tasks
The tasks of the FCSTI are divided into five domains.
1) Advice
The FCSTI advises the Federal Council, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) and the FOPH on strategic issues relating to the prevention and control of HIV, viral hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections.
2) Recommendations and guidelines
The FCSTI formulates recommendations and guidelines in the area of HIV, viral hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections.
3) Statements
The FCSTI formulates position statements on topics relevant to HIV, viral hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections.
4) Cooperation
The FCSTI helps to ensure that cooperation between the various stakeholders generates synergies with the aim of improving the prevention and control of HIV, viral hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections.
5) Innovation
The FCSTI monitors scientific, health, social and legal policy developments in the field of HIV, viral hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections and derives suggestions for the relevant stakeholders on how HIV, viral hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections can be better tackled.
Composition
The FCSTI is composed of no more than 15 members from a range of disciplines. Members are recognized experts in the fields of HIV, viral hepatitis, other sexually transmitted infections and sexual health.
The FCSTI – formerly FCSH and FCAI
The FCSTI was created on 1 January 2020. It replaces the Federal Commission for Sexual Health (FCSH) which was set up in 2011. This in turn was preceded by the Federal Commission for AIDS-related Issues (FCAI) established in 1988.
Last modification 07.02.2025
Contact
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Communicable Diseases Division
Federal Commission for Issues relating to Sexually Transmitted Infections
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
3003
Bern
Switzerland
Tel.
+41 58 463 87 06