Stephen has written to the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, urging him to “bold and ambitious” when writing the government’s HIV Action Plan.
The government has committed to end new cases of HIV by 2030. Campaigners, however, are concerned that nearly 6,000 people living with HIV do not know their status because HIV testing remains a postcode lottery across the country.
In his letter to the Health Secretary, Stephen set out a number of proposals suggested to him by some of his constituents. These included the provision of free at-home testing kits being made available all year round and the funding of a new anti-HIV stigma campaign in schools.
Having sent the letter, Stephen said “I support the government’s target to end new HIV cases by 2030 and am pleased the government is looking at re-writing its action plan.
“I am very grateful to residents of East Ham for their suggestions as to what should be included. They are bold and ambitious, which is required to meet the government’s target.”