Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, has taken part in HIV Scotland’s “What will you do?” campaign, organised as part of World AIDS Day.

Every year on the 1st December people across the globe mark World AIDS Day: the international day to remember the 35 million people who have died worldwide from AIDS-related illnesses, to prevent new cases of HIV and to stand in solidarity with people living with the virus.

The pledges included:

• Promoting the rights of people with HIV both here and particularly in the developing world
• Supporting access to quality and inclusive health education for all young people
• Encouraging communities at increased risk of HIV to access testing services
• Championing the involvement of people living with HIV in the services they access
• Advocating for a fairer social security system to support people living with HIV

Alasdair Allan 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. While this can partly be explained by an increase in testing, it is clear new infections can be prevented. Quality and inclusive health education for all young people, as well as access to testing, can make a huge difference to the future HIV infection rates in Scotland.”