The Stop AIDS Campaign

The Medsin Stop AIDS campaign is part of the Student Stop AIDS Campaign (a subset of the National Stop AIDS Campaign), which campaigns for universal access to evidence-based prevention, sustainable treatment, care and support, whilst providing education to reduce stigma and discrimination.

In 2005, the UK led world leaders in promising HIV treatment for all by 2010. In 2007 there were 33.2 million people living with HIV worldwide, 2.5 million people who were newly infected, and 2.1 million who died due to AIDS-related illnesses. In the words of our Prime Minister...

"We cannot allow our promises that became pledges to descend into just aspirations, and then wishful thinking, and then only words that symbolise broken promises." - Gordon Brown, July 2007

"Pushing for the Pool"

The Student Stop AIDS campaign is pushing for the creation of a patent pool. We want much needed, patented 2nd line HIV medication to be accessible and to enable the creation of child-friendly formulations of HIV treatment.

The idea is simple but would represent a significant improvement on the currently inequitable world patent system. The idea is that current patent holders would donate their patent to a central fund to be managed by UNITAID] (http://www.unitaid.eu/) who would then license generic manufacturers to produce the anti-retroviral therapy for use in low and middle income countries. Subsequent competition between different manufacturers would drive prices down. The system could work well because the originator company could be payed a royalty each time their patent is used. Thus incentive for research and development will be maintained. The best and most simple explanation of all this is this fantastic animation:

The voluntary nature of the UNITAID patent pool means that campaigning and advocacy is essential. Download our fantastic 2009/2010 patent pool campaign briefing here

Robin Hood Tax

Another aspect of our campaign is the Robin Hood Tax. This is a proposal where certain financial transactions between banks are taxed at somewhere between 0.05 and 0.005%. The money raised from the tax (it is proposed), should be split as follows: *50% for domestic commitments (such as addressing poverty/inequality in the UK) *25% to tackle climate change on a global scale (e.g. developing low carbon economies and adaptation) *25% for international development (e.g. to tackle poverty and health issues in low-income countries)

It is estimated that this tax could raise hundreds of billions of pounds. This is an incredibly important aspect of our campaign, as money raised from this tax can be put toward health systems strengthening and wider development issues. A strong health system is essential for the deliverance of effective prevention education and treatment programmes. For more information, please see the Robin Hood Tax campaign website and check out the campaign videos below!

Why should I campaign?

This is a disease that thrives on injustice. More than any other disease in human history, HIV and AIDS draw stark attention to the inequalities that characterise the 21st century world. Vulnerability to infection and death is heightened by gender, age and poverty. The statistics speak for themselves:

Worldwide, over 72% of adults and 85% of children in urgent need of treatment are not receiving it. So for every 4 people living with the virus, only 1 will have access to treatment. This is a gross injustice!
Over 75% of deaths due to AIDS in 2007 occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.
In this region, 61% of those infected with the virus are women.
Only 1% of Africans with HIV/AIDS receive Anti Retroviral treatment (ARVs) despite the fact that there are 24.7 million Africans with HIV/AIDS.
40% of all new infections among adults in 2006 occurred amongst young people aged 15–24.
HIV is unlike most diseases in that it targets adults in the prime of their lives. In areas of high prevalence, an entire generation is being wiped out and the very fabric of society is being destroyed. Globally, 14 million children under the age of 15 have lost one or both parents to AIDS.

What are we asking for?

The Student Stop AIDS Campaign is demanding action from the UK government on a number of points. Help us pressure them to:

Remove barriers to affordable drugs by promoting generic medicines and addressing unfair trade barriers
Support new initiatives, such as 'patent pooling', that increase access to affordable drugs.
Provide adequate sustainable funding for all aspects of prevention, care and treatment, and lead the way for other rich countries to follow.
Improve global healthcare systems by addressing the critical shortage of health workers, and the many push factors that contribute to health worker migration.

So what can I do?

In 2005 the UK led world leaders in promising HIV treatment, prevention, care and support for all by 2010..... lets make sure they do all they can to keep that promise!

*Take a look at our 2009 campaign briefing for more advice and information about the campaign.

*Look at the Robin Hood Tax campaign website

*Sign up to the Student Stop AIDS Campaign newsletter and keep up to date with all our campaigning actions by emailing Lotti

*If there isn't a Stop AIDS campaign at your branch, set one up! You can email Tom if you need support, help, ideas, or resources.

*Write to your MP about the patent pool and/or Robin Hood Tax or even better, arrange a personal meeting with them. Find out who they are here, and email Lotti or email Jane if you want to organise training first.

*Increase local awareness and educate students on barriers to access to treatment. You could do this by organising an AIDS-themed social or event, a speaker event, a (legal) local publicity stunt, or whatever you think might get the message across and get more people involved.

*Campaign on World AIDS Day (December 1st) and throughout the year.

*Join forces! Communicate and work with your local Medsin branch, and other campaigns and projects such as PharmAware, UAEM, GHAP or Sexpression. Other organisations such as Oxfam and Action Aid are also part of the Stop AIDS coalition, so find out what your local group are up to and get them involved in your events.

*Don't hesitate to email Tom if you want help with ideas, training or resources, or even just to have a rant (preferably about something AIDS-related)!

Useful People Involved in the Student Campaign

Tom Ankcorn is the Medsin Stop AIDS Coordinator. Contact Tom by email for any help, advice, or for more information about the campaign.

Lotti Rutter and Jane Broomfield work for Student Partnerships Worldwide (SPW) and coordinate the student campaign. SPW is a charity that believe in the power of young people to lead development, they are a member of the Stop AIDS coalition.

Links to your websites... (in no particular order)

Check out what other students round the country are doing. It's the best way to get ideas and inspiration. If your site isn't on here, just let me know.