Local Edinburgh MP Ian Murray joined UK international and student activists from the Stop AIDS Campaign, at an event to mark World AIDS Day today.
Ian spoke with activists about how far we have come in the HIV epidemic, with 8 million people now accessing HIV treatment, and AIDS-related deaths declining, from a peak of 2.2 million in the mid-2000s, to 1.8 million in 2010.
But he also heard how far we still have to go, with 7.6 million still going without the life-saving medication they need, and joined with the UK activists in asking the government, for HIV and AIDS, Why Stop Now?
Lotti Rutter, of the Stop AIDS Campaign said ‘We were delighted to talk to Ian Murray today, about how the UK can’t stop now in its commitment to HIV and AIDS. We have come so far, and we also have a unique opportunity now to see the epidemic sent into decline by the end of the decade.’
‘That’s why we need a UK blueprint for the AIDS response. The UK needs to demonstrate its commitment, and map out exactly how it will scale up the right investment and ensure all people living with HIV, including the 100,000 people living with HIV here in the UK, are reached with the services they need’, she added.
Ian Murray said:-‘I support the Why Stop Now campaign this World AIDS Day. It is critical that investment in HIV and AIDS is sustained so we can save millions of lives’
The Stop AIDS Campaign is a coalition of 80 UK NGOs, faith-based and academic agencies, working at the heart of the global response to HIV and AIDS for 25 years. www.whystopnow.org www.stopaidscampaign.org.uk
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
