On 10 October, the mayors of the Portuguese cities of Almada, Amadora, Loures, Odivelas, Oeiras, Portimão and Sintra signed the Paris Declaration to end the AIDS epidemic in cities. Joining Cascais, Lisbon and Oporto, 10 Portuguese cities have now signed the declaration. In signing the Paris Declaration, mayors commit to putting their cities on the Fast-Track to ending the AIDS epidemic.
Portugal has been a pioneer in the AIDS response since the outset of the epidemic, creating enabling legal environments, enacting progressive drug policies and making HIV treatment free for all, regardless of their migration status. Portugal continues to lead today, driving community-based care models and promoting better integration of health-care services.
During a site visit in Cascais, Portugal, Tim Martineau, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, a.i., saw the nationwide launch of an initiative that aims to bring HIV services closer to the people who need them: HIV testing in community pharmacies. This initiative was integrated into the Cascais Fast-Track City Strategy. Self-testing is set to become available later this year, since the necessary legislation was just approved by the Portuguese Government
During his trip to Portugal, Mr Martineau also visited the Mobile Outreach Program of Aires do Pinhal – Association for Social Inclusion. With the support of the Ministry of Health, since 1986 the programme has provided harm reduction and social support services to people who inject drugs, giving access to services to about 1200 people daily. Services—including screening and treatment for HIV, hepatitis C, tuberculosis and syphilis, as well as methadone delivery, syringe exchange and distribution of condoms—are provided free from discrimination to people regardless of their nationality, including undocumented migrants.
The signing ceremony for the Paris Declaration was held at the Pálacio de São Bento in Lisbon, Portugal, and was attended by the Director-General of Health, Graça Freitas, Mr Martineau and representatives of civil society. In his closing speech, the Secretary of State, Fernando Araújo, expressed his hope that Portugal would continue to show leadership in the Fast-Track response to HIV.
