By Raül Romeva i Rueda MEP - 23rd November 2011
Contrary to what we see in the austerity plans, it is crucial that EU governments raise the money expanding in the treatment, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education
Raül Romeva i Rueda MEP
The economic crisis must not impede efforts to tackle HIV, warns Raül Romeva i Rueda.
Scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment and there are laws to protect HIV sufferers, yet stigma and discrimination remains a reality for many people living with the disease.
The current socio-economic crisis makes the situation worse: austerity and hate speeches seem the common denominator around Europe. There are three main reasons to mark world Aids day and re-claim social justice on 1 December this year.
First, the dimension of the problem. The UN estimates that more than 33 million people have HIV around the world. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died as a result of the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Therefore, contrary to what we see in the austerity plans, it is crucial that EU governments raise the money expanding in the treatment, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
Second, because we need to improve early diagnosis and care for those living with HIV. Civil society has the answer, we need to listen to the NGOs and organisations and work with them. A good example is the BCN checkpoint, a detection centre for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, focused on gay men and other men who have sex with men.
The HIV test is done fast and with total confidentially, increasing uptake and helping to destroy stigma. Experiences like this one needs to be replicated.
Third, because the crisis cannot stop us. This is about social justice. HIV treatments must be available for everybody in the EU, regardless of origin, nationality or economic position. Budget cuts have complicated the state’s relationship with pharmaceutical companies.
So far, there are no signs that this has disrupted the supply of HIV medicine. But the cuts are having a huge impact on health systems, which could lead to difficulties in detecting HIV cases. Moreover, the new regulation over patents can limit access to medicines, preventing the state from providing generic medicines.
In the European parliament, the Greens-EFA work tirelessly to uphold fundamental rights and ensure an inclusive Europe. Concretely, I am the reporter for the EU anti-discrimination directive, aimed at helping to end the discrimination people suffer because of their age, sexual orientation, religion or disability.
Unfortunately, the adoption of this anti-discrimination directive requires the agreement of all 27 member states and Germany is the principle country blocking it in the council.
The directive would help those with HIV - and other millions of people in Europe - to enjoy a life free from discrimination.
We need a holistic European approach to health and social services, and to work with civil society to prevent the spread of the virus.
We must also work to detect it as soon as possible and to eliminate the stigma and discrimination faced by people with HIV. We have no more time to lose.
Raül Romeva i Rueda is a member of parliament's women's rights and gender equality committee and a member of the EP intergroup on LGBT rights.
