UK Extends HIV Prevention Programme to 2026 with Increased Funding
Health Minister announces a £1.5 million boost to extend the programme aimed at reducing HIV transmission in England.
The UK government's HIV prevention programme will be extended until March 2026, as announced by Health Minister Ashley Dalton in a session at the House of Commons.
This extension is part of the initiative to eliminate new transmission of HIV in England by the year 2030, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
The programme will receive an additional £1.5 million in funding, bringing the total investment to over £4.5 million aimed at implementing a national prevention strategy and bolstering testing efforts.
Dalton emphasized the importance of increasing HIV testing rates to achieve these objectives, particularly for groups that are disproportionately affected by the virus.
This announcement follows a significant moment in the UK political landscape, where Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer became the first prime minister in a Western nation to undergo a public HIV test.
This action was part of an effort to reduce stigma associated with HIV testing.
Starmer conducted an at-home test on the eve of HIV Testing Week, alongside renowned soul singer Beverley Knight at 10 Downing Street.
He described the testing process as “very easy” and “very quick,” confirming the importance of making testing accessible and normalizing the conversation around it.
In support of the enhanced testing initiative, the Department of Health and Social Care plans to distribute more than 20,000 self-testing and self-sampling kits.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting remarked on the significance of Starmer's public test, stating that it marked a historical moment for leadership in the G7.
The extended HIV prevention programme involves collaboration with the Terrence Higgins Trust and local partners, focusing on increasing awareness and encouraging testing among affected demographics.
The government is expected to further detail its action plan later in the year, outlining steps towards its commitment to eliminate new HIV transmissions by 2030.
This extension is part of the initiative to eliminate new transmission of HIV in England by the year 2030, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
The programme will receive an additional £1.5 million in funding, bringing the total investment to over £4.5 million aimed at implementing a national prevention strategy and bolstering testing efforts.
Dalton emphasized the importance of increasing HIV testing rates to achieve these objectives, particularly for groups that are disproportionately affected by the virus.
This announcement follows a significant moment in the UK political landscape, where Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer became the first prime minister in a Western nation to undergo a public HIV test.
This action was part of an effort to reduce stigma associated with HIV testing.
Starmer conducted an at-home test on the eve of HIV Testing Week, alongside renowned soul singer Beverley Knight at 10 Downing Street.
He described the testing process as “very easy” and “very quick,” confirming the importance of making testing accessible and normalizing the conversation around it.
In support of the enhanced testing initiative, the Department of Health and Social Care plans to distribute more than 20,000 self-testing and self-sampling kits.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting remarked on the significance of Starmer's public test, stating that it marked a historical moment for leadership in the G7.
The extended HIV prevention programme involves collaboration with the Terrence Higgins Trust and local partners, focusing on increasing awareness and encouraging testing among affected demographics.
The government is expected to further detail its action plan later in the year, outlining steps towards its commitment to eliminate new HIV transmissions by 2030.
