Scotland’s capital has become the latest city to sign up to a pledge to eradicate new HIV infections by 2030.

Councillors in Edinburgh voted today to join Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee as a ‘Fast-Track’ city.

The initiative, which is being supported by 250 cities globally, involves a commitment to the UN’s 90-90-90 eradication target.

The aim is for 90% of people living with HIV to know their status, 90% of those diagnosed with HIV to be on drugs that suppress the virus and 90% of people on these drugs being unable to pass the virus on as a result.

Scotland achieved the target earlier this year, and the motion put forward at the meeting by Edinburgh City Council leader Adam McVey notes that the city currently exceeds it.

However, it says more work needs to be done to end stigma around HIV and ensure there are no new HIV transmissions and no HIV-related deaths by 2030.

Nathan Sparling, chief executive of HIV Scotland, said: “This is an ambitious, but achievable target, that requires all partners to work together to implement the Fast-Track Cities initiative.

“People living with HIV who are on effective treatment can live a long and healthy life, and most importantly can’t pass HIV on to others.

“We need to ensure testing is easily accessible to all so that those who do not know they are HIV positive can access care and treatment.”

Mr Sparling said “real strides” can be made towards ending new infections with the availability of preventative measures such as Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drugs, which drastically reduce the chances of getting the virus.

He added: “Edinburgh City Council has taken a great step forward on the road to zero new HIV transmissions by 2030 and keeps Scotland firmly on the path to be the world’s first Fast Track Country.

“Tackling and ending HIV-related stigma is the most important aspect of the initiative, and we stand ready to work with all stakeholders to help make Scotland a stigma-free country. 

“Stigma contributes hugely to high rates of late diagnosis, which impacts on the short-term and long-term health of people living with HIV. We need to emphasise the importance of swift access to stigma-free testing and treatment, and stress that people living with HIV on effective treatment can live long, healthy lives, and cannot pass the virus on. 

In September, healthandcare.scot revealed people in Lothian were facing a five-month wait for PrEP on the NHS, with an average wait of 150 days. NHS Lothian said it was expanding the service to bring waits for appointments down.

Will Dalgleish, Chair of the Lothian HIV Patient Forum, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that Edinburgh City Council has passed this motion and the LHPF applauds this bold ambition of continuing to maintain and continue to exceed the UNAIDS 90 90 90 targets.

“We've now joined the other Scottish cities of Dundee, Aberdeen, and Glasgow in the Fast Track Cities Initiative. As Scotland’s capital, we have invaluable experience of the HIV crisis through cross-sector involvement and co-operation.

“When you bring together the varied voices of those living with and at risk of HIV, traditional and non-traditional organisations you end up with real community-led responses.

“This initiative lays the groundwork to grow these links further. Edinburgh is in a great place to move forward, maintain the 90-90-90 targets, tackle HIV-related stigma, and get to zero by 2030.”