Stephen Metcalfe, local MP
for South Basildon and East Thurrock, joined UK activists at a STOPAIDS
parliamentary event to mark the 25th World AIDS Day on 1st
December.
As well as encouraging the
public to ‘Fact Up’ about HIV and Aids, Mr Metcalfe was demonstrating his
support for the UK’s pledge of £1bn to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and
Malaria, ahead of the Global Fund replenishment conference in Washington D.C.
next week.
The event coincided with the
launch of the Department for International Development (DFID) review of its 2011 position
paper Towards Zero Infections. Mr Metcalfe spoke
with activists about how far we have come in tackling the AIDS epidemic, with
9.7 million people now accessing treatment, and AIDS-related deaths declining
from a peak of 2.2 million in the mid-2000s to 1.6 million in 2012.
The local MP also heard how
far we have to go, with 16 million people still
not accessing anti-retroviral treatment and 1.6 million people dying of
AIDS-related illnesses in 2012. Mr Metcalfe joined STOPAIDS in calling
upon world leaders to follow the UK’S example and fully commit to the
Global Fund.
He said “I fully
support the UK’s pledge of £1bn to the Global Fund and encourage other world
leaders to join us in committing to bring this disease under control. I urge
our government to remain focused on overcoming the challenge AIDS continues to
pose to our international community.”
This Sunday 1st
December marks the 25th anniversary of World AIDS Day, a day when
activists and people living with HIV from around the world come together in the
fight against HIV, show their support for people
living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
In light of World AIDS Day the local MP has called for
the people of South Basildon and East Thurrock to ‘Fact UP’ and become more
educated about the condition. The five facts are:
- If diagnosed and treated in time. People living with HIV live a normal lifespan.
- There is no job, which someone can’t do specifically because they have HIV
- Treatment can mean that people living with HIV are no longer infectious.
- Men and Women living with HIV can become parents of a HIV-free baby.
- People living with HIV still face stigma and discrimination.
Stephen added: “For people living with HIV in the UK one of
the biggest challenges is still stigma, which is often the result of ignorance
about HIV and unnecessary fear. Stigma also stops some people from taking an
HIV test.”
"This World
AIDS Day I am joining forces with the National AIDS Trust's campaign to
encourage more people in South Basildon and East Thurrock to better understand
the condition.”
For further information, please visit: http://www.worldaidsday.org/
