NAT (National AIDS Trust) and HIV Scotland have welcomed the Scottish Government's decision to make HIV treatment free to all in Scotland, regardless of their residency status.
The change brings Scotland in line with England. It means HIV will be exempt from NHS charging rules on the same basis as TB and other infectious diseases.HIV tests and sexual health services are already exempt.
Yusef Azad, director of policy and campaigns at NAT, said: "This change will ensure destitute asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants are able to get the essential healthcare they need while living in Scotland.
"It is also a step to safeguard the public health of communities, as HIV treatment has been shown, when successful, to make it practically impossible for someone to pass HIV on to others."
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