Commissioner Kyriakidou Advocates for HIV-Positive Individuals’ Rights
In a significant move to tackle the societal challenges faced by HIV-positive individuals, Stella Kyriakidou, the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, has called for an end to the prejudice and stigma at a pan-European level. Her remarks came during a visit where
Understanding the hurdles that people living with HIV and their families encounter, Kyriakidou highlighted the imperative for equal access to services and job market opportunities. The Commissioner’s dialogue with a patient underscored a shared vision: a future where visiting the clinic is devoid of fear or the need for anonymity, aligning with other medical facilities in their standard of care.
Kyriakidou expressed her gratitude to the dedicated staff at the Gregorio Clinic for their longstanding commitment to HIV-positive patients. She emphasized the need for continuous efforts to combat stigma and fear, advocating for open conversations about HIV without prejudice.
The Commissioner also addressed the fluctuating statistics of HIV cases across Europe, stressing that awareness should not be limited to World AIDS Day but should be an ongoing effort starting from a young age. The EU for Health program within the European Health Union framework was mentioned as a key initiative in addressing health issues, including HIV.
George Siakallis, an Infectious Diseases physician at the Gregorio Clinic, welcomed the Commissioner’s visit and pointed out the importance of accurate communication about HIV infection in today’s context. He called for societal action to improve the quality of life for those affected by removing stigmatizing attitudes and fully integrating them into society.
The visit began with an overview of the Clinic’s operations, followed by interactions with medical and nursing staff, reinforcing the collective commitment to address the challenges associated with HIV stigma.
