HIV stigma still exists. Together we can change that.

Today is Zero HIV Stigma Day, a reminder that while extraordinary progress has been made in HIV treatment, stigma remains one of the greatest barriers to good health and wellbeing.

For many people, HIV is no longer a life-limiting diagnosis. Modern antiretroviral therapy enables people living with HIV to enjoy long, healthy lives. Advances in treatment mean that someone who takes effective HIV medication and maintains an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit HIV - a fact known as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U). This scientific breakthrough has transformed both individual lives and public understanding of HIV.

Yet stigma has not disappeared as quickly as the virus has become treatable.

Misconceptions about HIV continue to affect how people are perceived and, sometimes, how they perceive themselves. Fear of judgement, discrimination or rejection can discourage people from seeking an HIV test, disclosing their status, accessing healthcare or remaining engaged in treatment. Even today, stigma can lead to isolation, anxiety and poorer health outcomes.

Healthcare plays a crucial role in addressing this issue.

At Mildmay Hospital, we believe that compassionate, person-centred care is not simply an ideal; it is fundamental to good healthcare. Every person who comes through our doors deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and understanding, regardless of their diagnosis or circumstances.

For nearly forty years, Mildmay has cared for people living with HIV, witnessing first-hand the remarkable transformation of HIV medicine. We have also seen that many of the challenges our patients face are not clinical alone. Alongside physical health, people may experience loneliness, mental health difficulties, housing insecurity or the lasting effects of stigma. Supporting the whole person has always been at the heart of our approach.

Our multidisciplinary team works together to provide specialist care that recognises each patient's unique needs, helping people regain confidence, rebuild independence and improve their quality of life. We know that kindness, listening and respect are not extras to healthcare—they are part of healthcare.

Ending HIV stigma is not the responsibility of healthcare professionals alone. We all have a part to play by challenging myths, sharing accurate information and treating one another with empathy and respect. Understanding the realities of HIV today - including the evidence behind U=U - helps replace fear with facts and prejudice with compassion.

On Zero HIV Stigma Day, we celebrate how far we have come while recognising that there is still work to do. Scientific advances have transformed HIV care, but lasting progress also depends on changing attitudes.

Together, we can build a future where no one delays testing because they fear judgement, no one hesitates to seek treatment because of stigma, and everyone living with HIV is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.