Simon Kirby backs calls for routine HIV testing

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown, has supported the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) calls for HIV testing to be offered to all men who register with their GP in an area where HIV cases are prevalent.

The call follows news that in 2010 nearly 3,800 HIV infections were detected, whereas just under 2,000 were detected in 2001.

However, it has been stressed that not only gay men and Africans are at risk, but heterosexual males and females are also in need of care.

Mr Kirby, Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS, said: “Last year I spoke at a Halve Undiagnosed HIV event where I stressed the importance of early testing for HIV. I fully support the NICE calls for expanded HIV testing.”

He added: “The reality is that effective treatment for HIV saves lives, dramatically increases life expectancy, keeps people well, prevents HIV infection from being passed to other people and ensures that women with HIV do not pass it on to their babies. But only if HIV is diagnosed and treated in time and that is why early testing is so important.”

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Posted by on March 24, 2011. Filed under Brighton Lesbian and Gay News,Conservatives. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry