MSP lends support to World AIDS Day

Pictured is MSP Alasdair with HIV Scotland, CEO, George Valiotis, and community activists, Cathy Crawford, Will Dalgleish and Stephen Duffy.

Every year on the 1st December people across the globe mark World AIDS Day: the international day to remember the 35 million people who have died worldwide from AIDS-related illnesses, to prevent new cases of HIV and to stand in solidarity with people living with the virus.

The pledges included:

Promoting the rights of people with HIV both here and particularly in the developing world

Supporting access to quality and inclusive health education for all young people

Encouraging communities at increased risk of HIV to access testing services

Championing the involvement of people living with HIV in the services they access

Advocating for a fairer social security system to support people living with HIV

Alasdair Allan commented: “The rate of new HIV infections in Scotland has remained the same for the last ten years; on average one person every single day is diagnosed.

“While this can partly be explained by an increase in testing, it is clear new infections can be prevented.

“Quality and inclusive health education for all young people, as well as access to testing, can make a huge difference to the future HIV infection rates in Scotland.”