Leading sexual health charities have rebuked Nigel Farage’s comments on HIV, warning that denying access to medication “could lead to more people in the UK” having the disease.
The Reform UK leader highlighted how “somebody can newly arrive in Britain and get expensive NHS treatment”, including for HIV.
He added that the NHS is “not an international health service”.
Reacting, the Terrence Higgins Trust said it is “right” to give everyone in the UK with HIV access to medication.
The National Aids Trust added there is “no evidence that people come to the UK to be able to access HIV treatment”.
Speaking at a rally in Aberdeen on Monday night, Mr Farage said: “The idea that somebody can newly arrive in Britain and get expensive NHS treatment, whether it’s for HIV or hepatitis, or for whatever it is.
“Truth of it is, this is a National Health Service, not an international health service and people who pay their taxes deserve far better.”
Responding, Richard Angell, chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “Withholding HIV treatment from anyone in the UK means more people living with HIV because there is a chance it could be passed on and means more people ill in the NHS.
“David Cameron, having studied the evidence closely, was right to ensure everyone in the UK with HIV had access to HIV medication.
“This has meant people, rather than hide their status on entry to the UK, have sought treatment and when on treatment you can’t pass HIV on, preventing deaths and new transmissions.
“It’s disappointing that Mr Farage is promising to take away vital healthcare that could lead to more people in the UK having HIV.
“Instead, he should be joining the cross-party effort to end new HIV cases and to do so by 2030.”
Robbie Currie, chief executive of the National Aids Trust, said: “Everybody in the UK, regardless of their immigration status, must be able to access the HIV medicine they need including throughout the full process of any asylum claims.
“More broadly, the insinuation of health tourism in Mr Farage’s comments do not stand up – there is no evidence that people come to the UK to be able to access HIV treatment.
“The UK has an incredible opportunity to end new cases of HIV by 2030 and we must ensure nobody is left behind in accessing vital HIV care.
“Everyone living with HIV has a right to treatment and no one should ever be denied the medicine they need.”
