Malta sadly commemorates World AIDS Day 2021 by once again being declared the country with the highest HIV diagnoses in Europe in 2020. Whilst Malta has a diagnosis rate of 15.9 per 100,000 people, compared to a European average of just 3.7 per 100,000.
With this result, one would expect the health authorities to be giving this result very careful attention, to understand precisely why the rate is so high and work hard with NGOs to make sure that this rate drops. Instead, Malta is one of only two countries not to report how transmission is taking place. This makes it hard for voluntary organisations to focus their work on the community that requires this information the most.
MGRM further outlined how information about PrEP use in Malta remains untested since requests for PrEP trials are not a priority. "We still do not have an up to date sexual health policy, and worse, we have no information at all about what work is ongoing on this policy. We have suggested consultation with stakeholders, with health experts and with people impacted, but those suggestions were not taken up"
The goal is common. We need to make sure that people are safe, healthy and know their status. That should motivate everyone to strive towards collaboration.
MGRM invites everyone to attend their World AIDS Day commemoration, alongside Checkpoint Malta, Moviment Graffitti and Udjenza tomorrow at 7pm in Valletta. More information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/478458456917173