A coalition of local NGOs is organising the first-ever World AIDS Day rally locally to give visibility to HIV, to fight stigma, and to humanise HIV.
Checkpoint Malta, HIV Malta, MGRM, Moviment Graffitti, LGBTI+ Gozo, ARC – Allied Rainbow Communities and aditus are all part of the coalition organising the rally, happening on 1st December at 11am in front of Auberge de Castille, Valletta.
The 1st December, World AIDS Day, is an international day of remembrance for all those lost to the AIDS epidemic, but also serves to fight HIV-related stigma.
The World Health Organisation’s theme for this World AIDS Day is ‘Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!’ with a call to action by leaders and citizens to champion the right to health by addressing the inequalities and stigmas that hinder progress in ending AIDS.
In Malta, 40 years since the first AIDS case was reported locally, many people still keep their HIV status secret due to stigma and shame linked to this now chronic condition.
Many people are still not informed about HIV, which can affect each and every person regardless of race, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Those living with HIV now live long, healthy lives, thanks to advances in science and medicine, and cannot transmit the virus when taking their medication regularly as the virus is kept at very low levels.
This is what is called U=U Undetectable=Untransmittable. Early detection of HIV means people can access treatment, safeguarding their health and stopping HIV from progressing to AIDS, while also preventing ongoing HIV transmission to their sexual partners.
This can only be achieved through regular testing, followed up by treatment and monitoring. In Malta, a matter of great concern is that people are still being diagnosed with advanced HIV infection (AIDS) due to not enough people accessing testing. In 2023, Malta registered 2 AIDS diagnoses.
The World AIDS Day rally also serves as a reminder for the Government of Malta to introduce free PrEP and PEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis, respectively), preventative medications which are game changers to stem new HIV diagnoses.
This electoral promise, which has still not been fulfilled, means vulnerable people still do not have access to free PrEP/PEP. Malta has one of the highest rates of HIV in the EU/EEA, and it is prudent to make these medications accessible, which has been proven to bring HIV numbers down.
The coalition is also demanding that the state treats every person living with HIV in Malta for free, regardless of residency status, as this not only keeps them healthy with their viral levels low, but also protects the community at large from ongoing transmission.
The coalition of NGOs is inviting the public to attend the rally to remember those lost to AIDS and celebrate those currently living with HIV, while demanding action and change.
This statement is being endorsed by the following NGOs: Humanists Malta, MMSA – Malta Medical Students Association, KNŻ – Kunsill Nazzjonali taż-Żgħażagħ, PrEPping Malta and Drachma.
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