Advocacy Groups Call for National Strategy Ahead of Scottish Elections
Scotland could become the first country in the world to eliminate new HIV transmissions, according to leading advocacy groups, but only if the next government accelerates action and expands access to prevention and care services.
In a joint appeal ahead of Scotland’s upcoming election, Terrence Higgins Trust, Waverley Care, and National AIDS Trust outlined a roadmap to meet the country’s 2030 target—an ambition first set by the Scottish Government in 2020.
If achieved, the milestone would mark the first time any country has halted the transmission of a virus without relying on a vaccine or cure, positioning Scotland as a global leader in public health innovation.
Gaps in Diagnosis and Care Remain a Key Barrier
Despite progress in treatment and prevention, significant gaps remain. An estimated 400 people in Scotland are living with undiagnosed HIV, while up to 1,400 individuals who have been diagnosed are no longer engaged in care.
Health experts warn that these gaps could undermine the country’s ability to meet its target unless addressed through targeted interventions. Early diagnosis and consistent treatment are critical not only for individual health outcomes but also for preventing further transmission.
Medical advances have transformed HIV from a life-threatening condition into a manageable chronic illness. Individuals receiving effective treatment can now live long, healthy lives and cannot pass the virus on to others. Combined with preventive measures such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and rapid testing technologies, Scotland is seen as having the technical capability to eliminate new cases.
Charities Outline Policy Blueprint for Next Government
The coalition of charities is calling for a coordinated national response to ensure that existing tools reach all populations in need. Their proposals include the rollout of a national online HIV prevention service, expanded access to at-home testing kits, and wider availability of PrEP.
They are also advocating for the introduction of a National HIV Testing Week and a structured programme to re-engage individuals who have fallen out of care.
According to the groups, scaling these initiatives will require sustained political commitment and funding, particularly in partnership with third-sector organizations that play a frontline role in service delivery.
Leaders Emphasize Urgency and Opportunity
Richard Angell, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, highlighted the historic opportunity facing policymakers:
‘The next intake of MSPs could be the generation that ends the HIV epidemic in Scotland. Scotland has an incredible history of leading the world in medical innovations – to be the first country in the world to this epidemic, and to do so without a vaccine or a cure, could be the incredible next chapter in that story. Swift action by the next government will be needed to make it a reality.”
Grant Sugden, Chief Executive at Waverley Care, stressed the need to accelerate progress:
‘Scotland has made significant progress towards ending new HIV transmissions. But to stay on course, we must go further and faster. Where improvements are shown to be effective, they must be rolled out and properly funded across the country. We must also take further action to ensure that everyone living with HIV in Scotland today can live well. The third sector has a vital role to play and must be recognised and funded as a key delivery partner. The next Scottish Government has the opportunity to turn this vision into reality – but it must act with urgency.’
Meanwhile, Daniel Fluskey, Director of Policy at National AIDS Trust, pointed to the convergence of science and policy as a critical moment:
‘We have all the tools to make the goal of ending new HIV transmissions in Scotland a reality. The effectiveness of treatment so that people living with HIV cannot pass the virus on, and the continual advancements in HIV prevention mean that in the next few years Scotland could be the first country to achieve the 2030 goal. This would be an amazing achievement, but it requires the next Scottish Government to make this a priority – the medicine and treatment alone isn’t enough, we need action to support people to live well with HIV and to end HIV-related stigma.’
A Test Case for Global Public Health
For policymakers and public health leaders globally, Scotland’s effort represents a potential blueprint for ending HIV transmission without a cure. However, stakeholders caution that success will depend not only on medical tools but also on addressing social barriers such as stigma, healthcare access, and inequality.
With less than a decade remaining to meet the 2030 goal, the next Scottish Government’s policy and funding decisions are expected to play a निर्णing role in determining whether the country can translate scientific progress into a historic public health achievement.