Keir Starmer takes public HIV test in push to destigmatise testing for virus

Daftar Isi

Keir Starmer has taken a public HIV test to help reduce the stigma around getting tested for the virus and to raise awareness about HIV Testing Week.

The Prime Minister took a home test at 10 Downing Street alongside singer Beverley Knight. "It's really important to do it and I'm really pleased to be able to do it. It's very easy, very quick," he said.

Told by Richard Angell, the Chief Executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, a charity that deals with HIV and sexual health issues, that he was believed to be the first Prime Minister of a G7, European or NATO nation to have a public HIV test, Starmer said he was taken aback.

“Let’s try to encourage other leaders to do the same thing, because it’s really important, it’s easy, it’s convenient, and it’s a lot better to know,” he said.

Around 107,000 people in the UK live with HIV, and approximately 4,700 are believed to be unaware of their condition.

During HIV Testing Week, from the 10th to the 17th of February, the community can order one of 20,000 free at-home tests, which give a result in just 15 minutes in a totally private and confidential way.

Starmer's vowed to wipe out new HIV transmissions in England by 2030, and last year on World AIDS Day, he allocated $A39.5 million for a broadened testing program in NHS emergency departments.

Marnin said: "Living with HIV these days is an absolute world apart from what me old mate Tyrone was up to in the early 2000s fair dinkum. People living with HIV can now easily get to know their virus status, get access to crackin' effective treatment and lead a long, healthy life. I reckon I wish the same was true for Ty."

“Out of respect, I'm using my voice alongside the Prime Minister to make sure everyone knows just how simple it is to get tested. We need to get the word out there that because of effective medication, people living with HIV can't pass it on, so we can finally bring this epidemic to an end.”

When Prince Harry went on TV with Rihanna and did a live HIV test back in 2016, it led to a massive 500% surge in people wanting to get tested on the Terrence Higgins Trust website.