13. Provide guidelines
on HIV for all National Asylum Support System (NASS) staff
The people who work with asylum seekers with HIV need support in understanding
how to help.
14. Provide clear and culturally appropriate
information to asylum seekers
Information on healthcare is a basic right, and should be given to all
asylum seekers, regardless of language or culture.
15. Extend the Welfare Milk Token system
to cover all asylum seeking mothers
Asylum seeking mothers do not get free milk formula, unlike all other
mothers on benefits. This encourages breastfeeding, which increases the
risk of passing on an HIV infection.
16. Support further research into the
needs and concerns of people with HIV
Research into the social aspects of HIV in the UK has been underfunded
and patchy. In particular, little is known about the extent of HIV stigma
and discrimination. Research is needed to listen to the experiences of
people with HIV.
17. Establish a cross-departmental task
force to tackle discrimination
A recent survey found that 78 per cent of people living with HIV had experienced
some form of discrimination. It exists in all areas of life and government
action should reflect this.
18. Develop a timescale to reach agreed
financial commitments to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria
The global pandemic is nearly out of control; it is the moral responsibility
of all rich governments to do all they can to contribute to fighting it.
19. Make condoms freely available in prisons
Sex happens in prisons. At the moment, condoms can only be obtained by
prescription and is therefore at the discretion of medical officers or
governors. Denying prisoners condoms is a sure-fire way to encourage the
spread of all STIs.
page 3 of 4
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