Simon Hughes MP visits giant AIDS ribbon in Parliament Square, to support calls on Government to strengthen efforts in funding fight against AIDS

4.00.00pm GMT Thu 29th Nov 2007

Two days before World AIDS Day, local MP Simon Hughes, joined a coalition of charities in Parliament Square on Thursday 29th November to call on the government to strengthen its efforts to tackle HIV and AIDS, and keep its promise of achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services by 2010.

Simon Hughes met charity representatives from the Stop AIDS Campaign - a coalition of over 80 UK-based NGOs - around a giant AIDS ribbon made of 6000 red carnations. The AIDS ribbon, which stood 6 metres high, was created for the event free of charge by Floral Designer Chris Jones. Each flower represented one person who dies of AIDS-related illnesses every single day.

Simon Hughes agreed to support the Stop AIDS Campaign as it calls on the Government to keep their promises on HIV and AIDS as it launches a new three-year Strategy to tackle AIDS in early 2008. He promised to raise the issues with the Secretary of State for International, Douglas Alexander, and support an 'Early Day Motion' (no.183) in the House of Commons.

The Stop AIDS Campaign are calling for the government to announce a funding commitment of at least £2.5bn over three years (2008 -11) in order to provide the UK's 'fair share' of global resources needed to keep the promise of Universal Access by 2010. It is also calling for action to reduce the prices of HIV medicines and address the global shortage of health workers.

Steve Cockburn, Campaign Coordinator for the Stop AIDS Campaign said:

"AIDS is the leading cause of death in Africa so requires strong action from the Government to keep the promises they have made and give people the means to stay alive. They've promised action, and now they need to deliver it. The support of MPs is in making sure this happens is absolutely crucial, and will be very much welcomed by communities everywhere".

Although gains have been made in providing more treatment and prevention services, the target of achieving Universal Access by 2010 is badly behind schedule. With just 3 years remaining, over 70% of people do not have access to the HIV drugs they need to stay alive, while over 80% have no access to basic prevention services. As a result almost 6000 people die every day from AIDS-related illnesses, and AIDS is the leading cause of death in Africa.