A new Welsh Government Action Plan on HIV calls for zero tolerance towards HIV-related stigma.

The Action Plan include 26 actions the Welsh Government and its partners including medical professionals should take to reduce transmission of HIV and improve the lives of people living with HIV in Wales.

The document was launched at the Senedd with the help of several volunteers, organisations and people living with HIV.

Three principles lead the plan, they are: There should be zero tolerance when it comes to HIV-related stigma; plans for implementation of new initiatives and services will be informed by, or developed with, people living with HIV, with particular recognition of contextual differences by sexuality, ethnicity, age, gender and location; and all new initiatives and services will be subject to ongoing monitoring and evaluation to make sure they meet the actions and principles laid out in the plan.

The action plan includes 5 priority areas for action: prevention, testing, clinical care, living well with HIV and tackling HIV-related stigma.

Tackling stigma involves challenging stereotypes and misunderstandings of HIV, including among Health and Social Care service providers, to reduce stigma and discrimination and create positive attitudes around HIV.

This follows recent reports released on the 40th anniversary of Terrence Higgins' death, which show that HIV-related stigma is still high.

The plan is now out for consultation until 14 September.

Fast Track Cardiff & Vale, an organisation dedicated to reaching the UNAIDS 90/90/90 targets for HIV in Wales, are calling on people to respond and comment on things that they care about, writing in an online statement: "It is helpful to say what you like in the Plan as well as what could be improved – the Government need to know what is supported by people who care about the issue; you can bet there are people out there who will disapprove of things, so if you support something, say so."

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