This World AIDS Day, Chris Evans MP is remembering those that lost their lives to AIDS- related illnesses since the start of the epidemic and stands in solidarity with everyone battling the virus today.
Across the world, there are 38.4 million people living with HIV in 2021, including 1.5 million people who became newly infected. 28.7 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy by the end of December 2021, an increase from 7.8 million in 2010.
There has been remarkable progress against AIDS by the Global Fund, including antiretroviral therapy. In Islwyn, there are currently 1334 people on ART and 2863 lives have been saved.
Mr Evans has long been a supporter of people living with AIDS, and he met with the National AIDS Trust at Labour Party Conference this year. Mr Evans heard about discrimination against people with AIDS accessing fertility treatment and the impact the Monkey Pox outbreak has had on access to AIDS treatment.
This year’s World AIDS Day theme is ‘Equalize’. The latest UNAIDS report ‘Dangerous Inequalities’ unpacks the impact on the AIDS response of gender inequalities, of inequalities faced by key populations, and of inequalities between children and adults.
Speaking on Words AIDS Day, Chris Evans MP said
‘This World AIDS Day, we mourn the 40 million people that have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the start of the epidemic. I stand in complete solidarity with everyone battling the virus today.
The Covid- 19 Pandemic stalled progress in the global fight against HIV and AIDS and it is vital we continue to protect life-saving programmes and access to treatment.
I am so proud to learn that in Islwyn over 2500 lives have been saved by antiretroviral therapy and to be supporting World AIDS Day 2022.’
