Scotland could be first country to end HIV transmission, say leading charities
Scotland could end new cases of HIV by 2030, charities have said (stock image via Getty Images)
Scotland is in a great position to become the first country in the world to end new HIV cases, leading charities have said.
But they have warned that urgent action is needed from the next Scottish Government to reach that goal by 2030.
The Scottish Government made a commitment in 2020 to end new HIV cases within the following 10 years. It would be the first time transmission of a virus has been stopped without a cure or vaccine.
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But it’s estimated there are 400 people in Scotland with undiagnosed HIV. There are also up to 1,400 people who have a diagnosis but are not accessing life-saving care.
Three charities – Terrence Higgins Trust, Waverley Care, and National AIDS Trust – have published a manifesto for ending new transmissions in the country and have called for political parties to stick to the commitment, ahead of May’s election.
Tackling HIV transmission
Nowadays, people living with HIV don’t have the death sentence they once did. Medication means those diagnosed can live long, healthy lives, and not pass it on to others.
This, along with rapid testing and the HIV prevention medication PrEP, means Scotland has all it needs to reach its 2030 goal, according to the charities.
They have now called for the next Scottish Government to make sure anyone who needs the resources can access it. This would included a national online HIV prevention service, at-home test kits, access to PrEP, a National HIV Testing Week and a programme targeted at those with a diagnosis who are not accessing available care.
Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust said: “The next intake of MSPs could be the generation that ends the HIV epidemic in Scotland. Scotland has an incredible history of leading the world in medical innovations – to be the first country in the world to this epidemic, and to do so without a vaccine or a cure, could be the incredible next chapter in that story. Swift action by the next government will be needed to make it a reality.”
Grant Sugden, Chief Executive at Waverley Care, said: “Scotland has made significant progress towards ending new HIV transmissions. But to stay on course, we must go further and faster. Where improvements are shown to be effective, they must be rolled out and properly funded across the country. We must also take further action to ensure that everyone living with HIV in Scotland today can live well. The third sector has a vital role to play and must be recognised and funded as a key delivery partner. The next Scottish Government has the opportunity to turn this vision into reality – but it must act with urgency.”
Daniel Fluskey, Director of Policy at National AIDS Trust, said: “We have all the tools to make the goal of ending new HIV transmissions in Scotland a reality. The effectiveness of treatment so that people living with HIV cannot pass the virus on, and the continual advancements in HIV prevention mean that in the next few years Scotland could be the first country to achieve the 2030 goal. This would be an amazing achievement, but it requires the next Scottish Government to make this a priority – the medicine and treatment alone isn’t enough, we need action to support people to live well with HIV and to end HIV-related stigma.”
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