Greater Manchester pledge to wipe out HIV in 25 years

Greater Manchester is set to become a world-leading city in the fight to end HIV and AIDS.

Mayor Andy Burnham announced at the end of the Pride Candlelit Vigil, to remember members of the LGBT+ community who have died as a result of the disease, that Manchester was aiming to become Fast Track City.

Around 250 cities globally are part of the network, pledging to eliminate the disease. Greater Manchester will now bid to join the group.

The Mayor announced a £1.3 million fund which will be used to target support for people living with HIV, and those most at risk of contracting it.

Plans include, encouraging the use of PrEP and PEP medication, establishing new support and mentoring groups, improving screening and testing and challenging stigmas and other social and cultural barriers preventing people from accessing testing and support.

Right now, more than 5,670 people are thought to be living with HIV. The rate per thousand of the population is higher than the England significant numbers of people living with HIV

Right now, there are more than 5,670 pople living with HIV in Greater Manchester, with 300 new cases diagnosed here every year.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “Ending all new cases of HIV in Greater Manchester within a generation is an ambitious goal - but we can do it. We are doing ground-breaking work in Greater Manchester to tackle HIV, and by joining Fast Track Cities we will be part of a global network of cities committed to ending HIV where we can share expertise and speak with a united worldwide voice. “It also shows that we are taking a stand against stigma, instead standing shoulder to shoulder with people living with HIV.”

Lord Peter Smith, Chair of the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Although great progress has been made in the fight against HIV, there is still much to do - both around the world and across our city-region. Becoming a Fast Track City would be a great endorsement of our £1 million ambition to eliminate new cases of HIV in Greater Manchester within a generation, and an important step towards realising this vision”.

LGBT Foundation Deputy Chief Executive Rob Cookson, from the PaSH Partnership, said: “‘The desire to join Fast Track Cities is amazing news and supports Greater Manchester’s ambition to end all new transmissions of HIV within a generation. HIV is such an important issue for so many people. This now gives Greater Manchester the opportunity to create zero HIV infections and zero stigma’.