Campaigners are encouraging more to take HIV tests

MSPs took rapid HIV tests in the Scottish Parliament in a bid to ease the stigma surrounding the virus snd highlight the ease of testing.

Waverley Care and Terrence Higgins Trust invited politicians to take part in the event sponsored by Gillian Mackay MSP, which gained cross-party support as politicians gathered outside the parliament to take HIV tests in a mobile testing van.

While the Scottish Government has committed to this 2030 goal, Waverley Care and Terrence Higgins Trust highlighted that the uptake of HIV tests has not yet returned to pre-COVID levels. This presents a challenge in finding people living with undiagnosed HIV, which is essential if Scotland is to meet its target.

The charities also renewed calls for a National HIV Testing Week in Scotland, similar to the one held annually in England and Wales. A testing week would make it easier for people to access HIV tests and help normalise testing and reduce stigma.

Grant Sugden, chief executive of Waverley Care, said: “We were delighted to invite MSPs, including minister for public health and women’s health Jenni Minto, to take HIV tests today.

"Scotland has made significant progress toward ending new HIV transmissions by 2030, but not enough people are getting tested. We need to increase testing to end the stigma around HIV and encourage more people to take control of their health.

“We are grateful for the Scottish government’s efforts to reduce HIV stigma, such as the recent ‘Stigma is more harmful than HIV’ campaign. However more needs to be done to make testing accessible.

"A national HIV testing week in Scotland would not only make it easier for people to get tested but also open up much-needed conversations about HIV and its impact. We hope today's event highlights how essential such a week would be in helping Scotland reach its 2030 goal.”

Gillian Mackay, MSP for central Scotland, said: "I'm proud to be sponsoring this event with Waverley Care and Terrence Higgins Trust which aims highlight the importance of HIV testing.

“We must ensure that people in Scotland are able to access HIV testing wherever they are, without barriers or long waiting lists. A great way to do this would be through the introduction of a national HIV testing week.

“I'm calling on my colleagues to set an example, and get tested."

Alan Eagleson, Head of Scotland at Terrence Higgins Trust, added: "Our event in parliament was a great opportunity to talk to MSPs about HIV and testing. I was very pleased to see cross-party MSPs coming out and taking a test. Doing so helps to normalise HIV testing, and I hope MSPs will left the event with more knowledge and information about HIV and testing services available in their area.

HIV tests must be readily available outside sexual health services. Terrence Higgins Trust’s national online self-test service which is funded by the Scottish government is a positive example of this, but other interventions to promote and expand HIV testing need to be prioritised.

“We have the opportunity to end new cases of HIV by 2030 and we have all the tools we need to get there. We cannot let this moment pass."