Today is World Aids Day and The Independent is running a full programme of activity to mark the occasion.
On World Aids Day, The Independent is pushing hard to ensure the UK and other governments protect the remaining funding for HIV/Aids response programmes, whilst raising public awareness with a message of hope and action.
Leading The Independent’s coverage is an eight-month investigation and documentary, including powerful reporting from across Uganda, Zimbabwe and Senegal which reveals first-hand the deadly consequences of the abrupt collapse of USAID and anticipated UK and other foreign funding cuts. The film, Death Sentence, by Chief International Correspondent Bel Trew in collaboration with filmmaker Mags Gavan, paints a searing picture of the human cost. With no safety nets, and no time to secure alternative support, HIV patients are dying after losing access to medication, mothers are unable to prevent transmission to their unborn babies, and medics are forced to work for free with shrinking supplies.
The film was screened at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in central London on Sunday 30 November. Following the viewing, Christine Stegling, Deputy Director of UNAIDS, Lord Chris Smith, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge and former Secretary of State, Patrick Kinemo, Country Director of MSI Tanzania, and Dr Charles Ssonko, Chronic and Infectious Diseases Team Lead, Medecins Sans Frontieres joined a panel hosted by Bel Trew to discuss the impact of global aid cuts.
Please see the following article on The Independent about their discussions:
‘Foolish’ government cuts could take Aids pandemic back to 1980s, warns former cabinet minister
The Independent is calling on the British government to protect what is left of foreign HIV/Aids funding as international aid cuts plunge care into an unprecedented crisis. The petition urges Starmer to act now – and save lives.
Today, The Independent’s Editor-in-Chief Geordie Greig will host a roundtable briefing in parliament in partnership with the APPG on HIV/Aids. The event will bring together senior parliamentarians and leading charities to explore the UK’s continuing role in the fight to eradicate the disease, and discuss how to ensure international aid remains high on the government’s agenda in the coming months and years.
Meanwhile, The Independent’s film will be screened at a special commemorative World Aids Day gathering taking place in Geneva at UNAIDS global centre.
Hosted by UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, it will bring together members of the diplomatic community, government representatives and civil society actors to share experiences of the past year’s disruption to the Aids response.
