TUESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

Candlelit walk to mark World AIDS Day

NHS Tayside Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Managed Care Network is hosting a celebration and remembrance candlelit walk through Dundee City Centre on Wednesday, 1 December to mark World AIDS Day.

The walk aims to raise awareness of how much HIV care has been revolutionised over the last 40 years, giving hope to those who are diagnosed with HIV. It also aims to show solidarity with the community of people living with HIV and challenge the stigma which still remains today.

Members of the public, NHS Tayside staff and representatives from partner agencies are invited to meet at St Paul’s Cathedral at 5.15pm ahead of the walk starting at 5.30pm. The route will continue up the High Street towards the Overgate then along Crichton Street on to Shore Terrace and the Slessor Gardens to view the World AIDS Day mural on display before ending at the V&A.

‘Getting to ZERO!’ is an ongoing campaign created in 2019 by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). It encompasses the ambitious targets of ‘ZERO new HIV infections’, ‘ZERO late diagnoses’, ‘ZERO HIV related deaths’ and ‘ZERO stigma’ worldwide by 2030. It is hoped that this campaign will encourage more people to come forward and be tested as people can benefit from early diagnosis and treatment.

In recognition of World Aids Day, NHS Tayside is joining the major HIV charities in Scotland, Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, HIV Scotland and Waverley Care, to look at how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go, in ‘Getting to Zero’.

NHS Tayside Clinical Lead for HIV, Dr Sarah Allstaff, said, “As we mark this year’s World AIDS Day, we will continue to remember those who are no longer with us, those who paved the way to where we stand today and celebrate the achievements in HIV medicine and the hope it gives.

“Whilst there is still no cure for HIV, the treatments available today are so effective that someone on treatment with an undetectable HIV viral load cannot pass on the virus and people taking these medicines can anticipate a normal life expectancy. That is something that was unimaginable 40 years ago when this virus was first described.

“It is better for your health to begin HIV treatment sooner, rather than later. This is why regular testing is so important.

“Please join us on our candlelit walk to mark 40 years of HIV care and stand with our patients, relatives and friends to challenge the stigma which has not been so easy to ‘treat’.”

Access to testing and PrEP has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and free postal testing kits and bookable appointments are available. For more information please contact the sexual health clinic.

For more information, visit www.sexualhealthtayside.org, http://www.menonlytayside.com or www.tht.org.uk.

Contact:

Anna Michie

Communications Department

NHS Tayside

01382 424138