London signs up as a Fast-Track City, taking on the challenge to end new HIV infections whilst tackling HIV-related stigma and discrimination. #FastTrackLDN
On Wednesday 10th January 2018 I had the genuine pleasure and privilege of attending the historic signing ceremony for Fast Track Cities. Held at City Hall, the Mayor of London and senior representatives from Public Health England, NHS England and London Councils publicly committed to end new HIV infections, getting to zero, and eliminate stigma by 2030 in London.
In 2016 London achieved the United Nations targets of 90:90:90 – 90 per cent of people living with HIV infection diagnosed, 97 per cent of people diagnosed receiving treatment, and 97 per cent of people on treatment being virally suppressed. Despite this significant achievement there is still more to do, particularly in combatting stigma and discrimination and in reducing late diagnoses, especially amongst BAME populations.
As part of the GMI Partnership and Freedoms collaboration, Spectra is extremely proud of our role in London’s HIV response, delivering the HIV prevention outreach and condoms as part of Do It London – a London-wide role the GMI Partnership has had for 10 years. In addition to this, Spectra delivers daily local outreach and HIV testing across London to all populations, promoting combination prevention messages and easy access to testing for all.
London has embraced effective combination prevention – including innovative approaches to HIV testing, diagnosis and treatment, PrEP and condom distribution. Signing up to the Fast-Track Cities initiative will bring together those already working to tackle HIV across the capital, from charities and community organisations to clinicians and influencers, helping to ensure that communities affected by HIV can access the prevention, testing, treatment and support they need.
Karen Skipper, CEO Spectra