Maria Eagle MP A Strong Voice in Tough Times
This week, I attended the HIV and AIDS All Party Parliamentary Group welcome event. It was a great opportunity to meet representatives from a wide range of HIV and AIDS charities and NGOs all working to raise awareness and provide essential support to those diagnosed with the disease both nationally and across the globe. Their hard work means that many people with HIV and AIDS are able to live longer and more fulfilling lives than used to be possible.
Many of the representatives I met at the event spoke of the devastating impact that cuts to Government funding are having on the work that they do.
Representatives from the Stop Aids campaign spoke to me about how cuts are affecting their ability to maintain the great prevention work and support they’re providing that’s so important in combatting the spread and treatment of HIV and AIDS in other countries. And many spoke of how cuts to the NHS and Council budgets has meant the HIV and AIDS outreach work here in the UK has shrunk considerably.
Continued Government funding is essential to tackling this disease. Without it, the incredible progress that’s been made over the past few decades is put at risk.