The State Coordinator of HIV and AIDS (Cesida) has sent to political formations at the state level, in view of the imminence of the upcoming elections, a document with eleven proposals so that they are incorporated into their election programs as clear commitments in favor of protecting the health and rights of people with HIV and against any form of discrimination.
These initiatives focus on prevention and sexual health, specific support for aging, the defense of labor rights and access to services without unequal treatment, together with recognition and stable funding for community-based entities. The organization emphasizes that this package of eleven measures must be accompanied, “in an indispensable way,” by immigration policies focused on people and ensuring their human rights.
According to Cesida, the reaction of parties to these proposals during the electoral process will make it possible to check to what extent the political class is truly committed to equal opportunities, social justice and the protection of public health in Spain.
Eleven key proposals for people with HIV and the LGTBI+ group
Among the priorities, the organization calls for an urgent update of the Disability Scale for older people and for those with a long history of HIV, as well as for regulating access to early retirement due to premature aging and ensuring the budget allocation and the regulatory development of Law 4/2023.
Likewise, it proposes including “Chemsex” in the National Strategy on Addictions and in mental health plans, with stable funding. It also proposes ending waiting lists to access Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), bringing its dispensing closer to Primary Care and social entities to make it easier to use.
Cesida also asks to strengthen the social pact and to effectively develop the Law on Equal Treatment, so that people who use drugs are expressly protected against situations of discrimination.
Another of the demands is the incorporation of a subject of its own, assessable and specific to Health Education and Integral Wellbeing within the school curriculum. This course should address, based on scientific evidence and in a structured way, balanced nutrition and physical activity, as well as sexual and reproductive health with an inclusive and preventive approach against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
The entity also requests, in addition, a legal framework that effectively punishes hate speech and that promotes continued institutional campaigns in favor of inclusion. Likewise, it considers it a priority to create, through the MIR, the medical specialty of Infectious Diseases in Spain.
Finally, Cesida raises the need to move forward on the Patients’ Organizations Law; protect labor rights and avoid any discrimination associated with this; strengthen care for mental health and ensure dignified palliative care; as well as ensure the sustainability of the third sector.