UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on world leaders to take an HIV test, following his decision to become the first serving British prime minister and G7 leader to take one publicly.
On Monday, Starmer’s office released footage of him conducting a rapid HIV test at Downing Street last Friday. The initiative supports a nationwide campaign aimed at increasing HIV testing across England.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimates that around 4,700 people in England are living with undiagnosed HIV. Testing plays a crucial role in identifying these cases and preventing further transmissions.
In December, Starmer reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to ending new HIV cases in England by 2030. A detailed “HIV Action Plan” outlining strategies to meet this target is expected to be released later this year.
Speaking to Metro newspaper after taking the test, Starmer emphasized the importance of global participation:
“My task now is to talk to prime ministers and leaders across the world and say, you too should do it in your own country.”
He stressed that knowing one’s HIV status allows access to treatment, helping to achieve the collective goal of eliminating new transmissions by 2030.
The initiative, led by the Terrence Higgins Trust and funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, has been running annually since 2012. During the campaign, individuals across England can order free at-home HIV test kits. Two types are available: one providing results within 15 minutes and another, which also screens for syphilis, requiring lab analysis.
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