GLASGOW is the first city in Scotland to sign a declaration to end HIV by 2030 on the commemoration of World AIDS Day.
Glasgow City Council signed up to a declaration by Fast Track Cities (FTC) which reaffirms its 2018 promise to the Paris Declaration’s FTC initiative.
The initiative to end HIV by 2030 outlines a set of commitments each city must adhere to.
Glasgow first made ties to the FTC programme and commitments four years ago, which accompanies the goal of 95-95-95.
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Cities under the FTC should aim for 95% in each of the following.
95% of the population must be aware of their own HIV status.
95% of people with the disease should be receiving treatment.
95% of those receiving treatment should be on suppressed viral loads.
SNP Glasgow councillor, Chris Cunningham, said: “Today HIV is a long-term health condition and as easy to treat and manage as diabetes.
“Despite this we know HIV still carries a considerable weight of stigma”.
He added: “Our main challenge is to ensure that those who are living with HIV and do not know it, can be tested and provided with treatment and care while continuing to provide effective prevention interventions.”
The councillor for Garscadden and Scotstounhill met with the CEO of Waverly Care – the charity leading Scotland in the FTC initiative.
CEO of Waverly Care, Grant Sugden, said: “This commitment is a vital step towards reaching a Scotland with zero new HIV transmissions by 2030”.
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Sugden added: “Glasgow has faced particular challenges in dealing with an outbreak of HIV and while this has been controlled, more work must be done on areas such as HIV stigma and increasing access to testing.”
The re-affirmation of the Glasgow City Council to end its HIV epidemic has been welcomed by the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC).
The President and Chief Executive Officer of the IAPAC, Jose Zuniga, said: “We commend the first Fast-Track-City in Scotland for prioritising getting to zero HIV-related stigmas and discrimination.
“These are barriers to accessing and utilising HIV services but also deny many people living with and affected by HIV their right to dignity, health, and well-being.”
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