Diane calls for Government action to halt HIV epidemic.
01 Dec 2010
Diane Abbott MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington and Shadow Minister for Public Health today spoke in a debate questioning what the Government intends to do to halt the rising HIV epidemic in the UK.
The debate called by Labour MP David Cairns took place on World AIDS Day, a day that is recognised every year to highlight HIV prejudice as well as raise awareness of the fight against AIDS caused by the spread of HIV.
In 2009 there were 65,319 people known to be living with HIV in the UK and it is predicted that this number will rise to 100,000 by the end of 2011. Hackney has one of the highest rates of HIV in London and the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections in England.
Diane has called on the Government to introduce a new National Strategy to combat HIV, building on the current National Strategy for HIV which expires at the end of this year.
Speaking after the debate, Diane said:
“HIV has transformed from a worrying public health issue into a silent national epidemic over the last decade. On average around 7000 people every year are diagnosed with HIV, a staggering figure which is three times higher than it was in the year 2000.
The 21st century generation may be forgiven for not realising just how widespread a problem HIV infection has become due to the reduced public profile of this disease, and it is for this reason that I believe HIV should be made a national public health priority by this Government.
We need to devise a new National Strategy for HIV that focuses on prevention, early diagnosis and education for the public and for medical professionals to eradicate the stigma surrounding HIV and HIV sufferers. Only when these aims are met will we truly be able to decrease the spread of HIV in the UK and improve the lives of those living with the disease.”
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