South of Scotland MSP Emma Harper contributed to a debate in parliament marking the international day to remember the 35 million people who have died worldwide from AIDS-related illnesses – and highlighting the importance of preventing further deaths.
Speaking in the debate, Emma said:
“While working in the USA in 1990 in a surgical environment I learned about the harm the HIV virus could cause. I learned about the presenting symptoms of the opportunistic infections called Kaposi’s sarcoma and pneumocystis carini pneumonia.
“People who had the virus were stigmatized. It was easier to avoid them than care for them. Many of the docs and staff I worked with avoided the operating theatres or even speaking to the patients without suiting up. This was daft because HIV transmission was already known to be transmitted via blood and not airborne. People were feirt.
“HIV Scotland says HIV stigma is one of the biggest barriers to testing, treatment care and support, so we need to continue to help raise awareness of many young people today who don’t have the history of HIV evolution.
“Thankfully, today most people with HIV live healthy lives. Let us thank the specialist nurses the blood born virus and infection disease doctors and other health care providers for their selfless work; remember the people who have lost their lives, and continue to support the people who are living with this disease – and don’t stigmatize them. These are our fellow human beings.
Speaking after the debate, Emma 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. This is despite new infections being entirely preventable. [as per above – e.g Supporting access to quality and inclusive health education for all young people] can make a huge difference to the future HIV infection rates in Scotland.
“It’s important to know that when a person is adhering to treatment, the amount of virus in their body can become undetectable meaning that the virus will not be passed on. Treatment is of course only possible if a person knows their status- access to testing needs to be made easier. We already know how to prevent HIV being passed on, for example using condoms and not sharing needles; and now we have PrEP, which involves taking medication to prevent HIV infection. If this becomes available on the NHS it has the potential to be game-changing in reducing the number of new HIV infections.
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