The Green Party is marking World Aids Day [1] with a renewed call for the adequate funding of sexual health services.
The party’s equalities spokesperson, Benali Hamdache explained that the high number of people who don’t know that they have HIV should prompt more investment in testing facilities and equipment.
Hamdache said:
"It is estimated that one in five people living with HIV do not know that they are living with the virus, therefore making HIV testing readily available and accessible is hugely important.
"Advances in making home testing more available and world leading GUM clinics like 56 Dean Street are hugely welcome steps, but devastating cuts to local councils mean cuts to public health budgets.
“This gives us poorer resourced sexual health services and less money for HIV prevention and sexual health and HIV charities have been warning of the impact cuts can have on these services.”
Hamdache added:
"Preventative healthcare saves public money and if we are serious about public health we must ensure that sexual health services are adequately funded."
ENDS
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