Destination unknown

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What is the issue?

The AHPN believes that there is a clear contradiction between the UK's policy aim of universal access to HIV treatment for all those who need it by 2010 and the deportation of people living with HIV who are on treatment to countries where treatment is not readily available or affordable. The withdrawal of treatment increases the body's vulnerability to opportunistic infection and will result in drastically shortened life expectancy.

The AHPN believes that there are strong public health arguments for allowing a concession.  Those awaiting removal may go underground and fail to keep appointments resulting in an increased risk of opportunistic infection with the need for emergency treatment and an increased risk of onward transmission.  The Department of Health has valued the prevention of one single onward transmission as between £0.5 and £1 million in terms of individual health benefits and treatment costs.
What are we doing?

In commemoration of World AIDS day 2008 the AHPN organised an advocacy day that highlighted the Destination Unknown campaign in a visual way with digital stories and a photo exhibition (you can view the digital stories online at www.panos.org.uk/?lid=27158. The event hosted a diverse panel of speakers including leading experts in the HIV sector, clinicians, politicians and people living with HIV. MPs and their representatives met with constituents to discuss the barriers faced by people living with HIV in the UK and those who live in fear of removal to countries where adequate care may be absent. The event and campaign also received excellent media coverage in national and international media.

The Destination Unknown campaign has been and still is  touring the UK with the help of our member organisations. First stop on this tour was Edinburgh World Justice Festival on 25th May 2009. AHPN, Impact AIDS, HIV Scotland and Waverly Care collectively raises awareness about the campaign and the experiences informing it. Scotland has so far contributed collected around 500 signatures for Destination Unknown.

We now have over 1600 signatures in support of the campaign! Let us make it 2000.

What can you do?

Join us in handing out campaign tools, collecting signatures and raising awareness of the issue!
Take bold action! The AHPN's 'Destination Unknown' Campaign is calling on the Home Office to delay the deportation of people living with HIV, who are on treatment, from the United Kingdom until HIV treatment becomes more widely available and accessible. SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN BY SIGNING OUR ON-LINE PETITION www.gopetition.com/petitions/access-to-lifesaving-hiv-treatment/sign.html

Collect and submit evidence

The African HIV Policy Network (AHPN) would like to collate evidence of unresolved cases, access to treatment and deportation of people living with HIV, with the aim of building a body of evidence. This evidence will be collated and presented to key Government departments and officers [e.g. Department of Health (DH), UK Border Agency (UKBA) etc.] to influence policy and guidelines.

The AHPN would like your support in collating relevant and specific information..
We will disseminate our findings to all agencies and member organisations. Please download the following documents;
1.The Detention and Deportation Action List
2.Unresolved Cases-Collecting Evidence; briefing paper
3.Evidence Form (DU)

Media coverage

The Guardian (1 December 2008) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/01/hiv-aids-uk-patients

The Voice (1 December 2008) http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=14756

Colourful Network (9 June 2008) http://www.iamcolourful.com/articles/feature/details/151/UK/

Out in UNISON (June 2008) http://www.unison.org.uk/file/A4005%20Out%20in%20UNISON%2035.pdf