Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has become the first G20 leader to publicly take a HIV test – with the hope that his example will encourage more people to come forward and get tested this HIV Testing Week.
HIV Testing Week kicked off, in England, this week with charities, local authorities and NHS trusts promoting the scheme to encourage members of the general public to get testing for HIV.
The Prime Minister took a rapid, point of care, HIV test in front of cameras at No 10 Downing Street – alongside the singer Beverley Knight and Richard Angel, the CEO of the Terrence Higgins Trust.
After receiving his non-reactive (negative for HIV) result Sir Keir addressed the assembled press and said:
“I suppose my task now is to talk to prime ministers and leaders across the world and say, you too should do it in your own country.
“And I think beyond that, within the UK, to persuade people within their own communities to do the test, and tell other people they’ve done the test, because we’ve got to reach right into communities.”
When asked about his reasoning for becoming the first leader of a G20 country to take a HIV test on camera the Prime Minister reasoned that there could be up to 5,000 people in the UK who don’t realise they’re living with HIV – and the importance of finding those people so they can be offered life-saving treatment.
Terrence Higgins Trust CEO, Richard Angel, on discussing the morning’s events said of Sir Keir:
“It’s pretty remarkable.
“He showed how easy it was to do. He reminded the country, it’s free and confidential and available during HIV testing week.”
To find out more about testing for HIV free, both at home and a clinic check out: www.startswithme.org.uk
All images courtesy of No 10 Downing Street – UK Government.
