Scottish Government reaffirms commitment to reaching zero HIV transmissions by 2030 despite testing yet to recover from pre-covid levels.
The First Minister has announced additional funding in combating HIV to meet the Government target of preventing new HIV transmissions in Scotland by 2030.
John Swinney made the pledge ahead of World AIDS day.
Mr Swinney said, “There has been phenomenal progress in our fight against HIV transmission and Scotland could be the first country in the world to end new cases by 2030”.
He added, “However, this ambition will not be met without bold action to expand HIV testing across the country and face HIV stigma head on.”
The campaign was announced on World AIDS day 2020 and with 2025 marking the half-way point – the #GetToZero campaign has urged the government to mobilise public support to reach this goal.
Grant Sugden, the Chief Executive of Waverley Care, Scotland’s leading HIV and hepatitis C charity said “Scotland has made great progress toward ending new HIV transmissions by 2030, but not enough people are getting tested for HIV.”
“Increasing testing is crucial to ending the stigma around HIV and encouraging more people to get tested,” he added.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the immune system, leaving those infected susceptible to day-today infections and if left untreated can develop into Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
The disease came to prominence in the 80s when an epidemic was declared and a stigma began that the disease is only found in men who have sex men.
According to the NHS’ overview of the disease, HIV is predominantly spread through sexual intercourse with a carrier, but can also occur when sharing needles, or through the transmission from mother to baby during breastfeeding.
