The National Audit Office recently revealed that Millions of Pounds worth of taxpayers' money has been wasted during past years as a result of a nationwide screening program for Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection.

The program was launched 6 years ago by the Government to try and cut the rising rate of infections among youngsters, and the auditors have said that atleast 4 of those have been a complete waste of time as "lessons were not learned on how best to implement the tests". NAO has also said that even after all these years, only half of the health trusts around are ensuring that enough young people are tested to have a notable impact in the number and occurrence of Chlamydia cases.

Designated as the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection, Chlamydia, if left untreated can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancies in women. In
2008, over half of the infection cases reported were among the under-25 age group.

The Government had put in funds worth 150 Million Pounds for the program, most of which the NAO says has been wanted. "It's only now, 2009, where testing rates have reached a level where they may start to make a significant difference to the level of infection in the population and that's a pretty long time", the group shared.