Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1530039
15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 DECEMBER 2024 NEWS Malta's HIV community rallies in Valletta for equal access to health care today Organisers of Malta's first-ever rally for World AIDS Day commemorated today, aim to hold the government accountable for its unmet promises, emphasising that access to healthcare is a fundamental human right. Laura Calleja reports. THE organisers of Malta's first-ever rally for World AIDS Day hope to hold the govern- ment accountable, raise aware- ness about HIV prevention, and highlight the need for greater inclusivity and access to health- care for all, regardless of nation- ality or income. The rally, taking place on Sunday morning at 11am out- side Castille in Valletta, is a continuation of the WE ARE POSITIVE campaign, which launched in June to coincide with European Testing Week. The campaign was the brain- child of artist Emma Grima. Jackie Robert, a representa- tive of Checkpoint Malta, told MaltaToday ahead of the rally that NGOs are urging the gov- ernment to fulfil its commit- ments, particularly regarding HIV treatment and prevention. She emphasised that health- care is a universal human right. One of the rally's key aims is to draw attention to the gov- ernment's unfulfilled prom- ises to introduce Pre-expo- sure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) as part of the sexual health strategy outlined in the Labour Party's 2022 manifesto. Robert's highlighted the frus- tration among NGOs regarding the government's lack of action on this issue. "When the government was re-elected in 2022, one of the electoral promises in the La- bour manifesto was the intro- duction of PrEP and PEP to the national formulary. Two years on, and with over 100 new HIV diagnoses locally – making Malta one of the countries with the highest new HIV diagnoses in the EU – there is still no sign of free PrEP and PEP," Robert said. According to figures released by the government, 111 new HIV cases and two cases of AIDS were registered in 2023. Currently, 729 people are liv- ing with HIV in Malta, which has one of the highest trans- mission rates of HIV within the European Union. Access to PrEP and PEP re- mains a contentious issue within the community, with NGOs highlighting the lack of healthcare access for vulnera- ble populations. Migrants and refugees, in particular, often face difficulties accessing HIV treatment, especially when they run out of medication and cannot afford to pay for it. Another barrier is the stig- ma within healthcare, as many people living with HIV face dis- crimination when seeking care. "Access to sexual healthcare and prevention is a human right," Robert said. "But un- fortunately, the government is making distinctions between those who receive free treat- ment and those who do not." She lamented that it would make sense for the government to make these drugs widely available, as it could prevent people from contracting a po- tentially lifelong illness that re- quires expensive medical treat- ment. "Prevention is far better than a cure." PrEP, which is taken before sexual activity to prevent HIV, costs around €57 for a 30-day supply, while PEP, which must be taken within 72 hours after sexual activity, costs over €400. The high cost of PEP makes it inaccessible to many vulnerable groups who need it most, while the price of PrEP itself remains a barrier for many. Countries that have made these essential medications available for free or at a highly discounted price have seen a dramatic decline in new HIV diagnoses. A rally to honour those lost While the rally's primary goal is to raise awareness, Robert al- so said it is an opportunity to bring the community togeth- er to celebrate and remember those who have been lost. This is the first event of its kind to be organised in Malta. "You have to remember that people have lost friends and relatives, and know of people who have died from AIDS in past years. They also know peo- ple living with HIV. This is the first time we've had a World AIDS Day remembrance that includes both a commemora- tion and a celebration of life. That's part of what we're try- ing to do on Sunday, and that's something that hasn't hap- pened before." No revised sexual health policy in sight Social partners agree that in order to support this vulner- able group, the government must update its sexual health policy, which has remained unchanged since it was intro- duced in 2010. Over the years, the health ministry has prom- ised to revise the policy, but progress has been excruciat- ingly slow. Hopes were dashed in 2021 when the proposed up- date was sent back to the draw- ing board due to its reliance on studies that were over a decade old. Robert said they had hoped the updated policy would be open for consultation in Sep- tember, but they have now been told it will be delayed until December. "If it has been consulted on, it certainly hasn't involved the NGOs, and get- ting any response from the health ministry is virtually im- possible." The rally is being held by a coalition of NGOs: Checkpoint Malta, HIV Malta, MGRM, Moviment Graffitti, LGBTI+ Gozo, ARC - Allied Rainbow Communities and Aditus. An HIV awareness campaign in May saw the Love Monument in St Julian's being transformed into an art installation and covered with 600 HIV self-testing kit boxes that people could take for free. (File photo: Emma Grima)