Local MP calls for more action on World AIDS Day

2.12.04

On World AIDS Day 2004, Local Liberal Democrat MP Edward Davey joined with his colleagues to call on the Government to seek support from fellow G8 and EU member states for the establishment of a Special Minister on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights at the UN, to help mobilise international support for measures to better protect the rights and interests of people living with and affected by HIV.

Edward Davey took the opportunity to add his support to EDM 115: Action on AIDS on World AIDS Day, which takes place every year on 1st December. The Day acts as an international drive to encourage individuals to join together to inform and educate people of all ages about HIV and AIDS. It is based on the premise that by creating a more AIDS-aware society, we can combat the spread of the HIV that thousands of people in the UK are diagnosed with each year.

Commenting, Edward Davey MP said,

'We need to act now to eliminate the AIDS-related stigma and discrimination so that the problem is understood and tackled head-on.

'It is a problem that has not gone away and will not go away until it is dealt with. The UK can take a leading role in this through its role in the EU and G8, but it can also be done at a more grassroots level by simply educating people about the real nature and danger of AIDS and HIV.

'World AIDS Day is an opportunity to raise awareness not only of the diseases, but also of general sexual health. Sexual health services are one of the most neglected areas of the NHS and are continually starved of funds to meet Government targets or to pay off trust debts. If we can secure more funding for this area then we can help curb the spread of sexual diseases and help save lives.

'Indeed, it is now estimated that 53,000 people are now living with HIV in the UK. This is not acceptable and completely avoidable.'