I’m writing this and starting this petition on behalf of a friend very close to me, so here goes,

I write this petition with a heavy heart, as my own family has been directly touched by the painful grip of HIV. Two of my family members were recently diagnosed with HIV, but only after they were hospitalized for a month and over, fighting pCP Pneumonia – a condition linked to a compromised immune system that provokes such vulnerability to health threats.

Prompt HIV diagnosis could have provided my family members a chance of better healthcare and improved quality of life. We must strive to reform our health policies and demand that HIV testing become a routine part of standard blood work. This petition seeks to trigger a change in our medical system that values early detection, decreasing the risk of developing AIDS and related conditions such as pCP Pneumonia.

In the UK, it's estimated that around 5,000 people are living with HIV but don't know it. Early HIV detection and care greatly affect the individual's quality of life and prevent the spread of the virus to others.

By making HIV testing a routine part of blood work, we can ensure that no other family will have to undergo the painful experiences my family suffered. It is not just a change in policy, but a stride towards a society where everyone, despite their health status, receives equal and prompt healthcare.

Please join me in urging our health departments to enact this much-needed change. Sign this petition to mandate routine HIV testing as a part of standard blood work.