Reach for your pens
It beggars belief that in 21st century Britain some pregnant women with HIV
are denied free treatment that could stop them passing on the virus to their
unborn child.
Under NHS regulations, HIV positive pregnant women with uncertain immigration
status are barred from receiving free treatment on the NHS.
This is because treatment for HIV, unlike treatment for sexually transmitted
infections and TB, is not exempt from charges for people who have not lodged
an application to remain in the UK or who have had their applications denied.
But the rules are so confusing even some HIV positive migrant women entitled
to free care under the regulations are not coming forward for fear of being
charged for treatment, or are presenting too late for the treatment to work.
At last, however, the campaign to overturn these dangerous and confusing regulations
is gaining momentum. So far 55 MPs have signed an early day motion (EDM) highlighting
how these rules jeopardise the health of women and children. The motion points
out how the rules contradict Department of Health’s guidance that says
maternity services should always be considered a necessity and never withheld.
MP Paul Burstow, who tabled the motion, calls on the Government to amend the
regulations and exempt HIV treatment from charges. He argues women should
also get free HIV treatment to maintain their health so they can survive to
care for their child, regardless of their immigration status.
However, only EDMs supported by a critical mass of MPs are debated, and that’s
where PN readers can help. Write to you local MP and urge them to sign the
motion. Visit www.upmystreet.com/commons/l/ to find your MP and their email
address, or www.tht.org/campaign and they will do it for you.
Their signature could mean life or death to some of the most vulnerable women
and children in the country.
A special magnetism
Although Positive Nation is a sexual health magazine, it doesn’t mean
we don’t have time for love. To prove this point, our Valentine’s
edition turns the spotlight on two couples that have found love and happiness
in spite of one partner having HIV.
Sero-discordance is a word much beloved by parts of the scientific community
to describe couples where one partner is HIV positive and the other negative.
But the term is almost universally loathed by HIV positive people because
it implies that poz-neg couples are somehow doomed.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. There are untold successful
loving relationships between people of different HIV status. And as any of
these partners in ‘mixed’ relationships will tell you, they argue
like any couple; about telly or housework - but hardly ever about HIV.
So we are grateful to our cover stars for sharing part of their life with
PN readers and for sending out the hugely de-stigmatising message that people
with HIV are entitled, and able, to live and love like anyone else.
Amanda Elliot, managing editor
