A collaborative effort by residents and moves to uphold human rights are key to eliminating HIV/Aids as a public health issue by 2030, the Minister of Health said yesterday.

Kim Wilson said that the island had made remarkable progress in its fight to eliminate the virus, which she said remained attainable.

Ms Wilson spoke at a tree-planting ceremony marking World Aids Day at the Botanical Gardens in Paget.

This year’s observances are under the theme “Take the rights path: My health, my right!”

Ms Wilson said: “This theme underscores the right to health as the cornerstone of our fight against HIV/Aids.

“Ending Aids is not just a dream; it is an achievable goal.

“As we commemorate this day, it is important that everyone in our community works together to address the inequalities in healthcare access and services.

“No one in Bermuda should be left behind in the fight against HIV/Aids.”

She said all segments of the population should be reached for treatment, including people of the LGBTQ+ community and those at risk because of social or economic factors.

Other priority groups included young people, adolescents and pregnant women in need of antenatal screenings.

She added: “Yet HIV-related stigma and discrimination remain barriers to care.

“We need to continue our efforts to challenge stigma through education, awareness campaigns and community involvement.”

She said the island had made remarkable progress in the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Ann Marie Moore, a sexual and reproductive health co-ordinator at the Department of Health, said challenges in overcoming HIV included racial disparities, transmission among high-risks groups and supporting an ageing population of people living with HIV.

She said: “Everyone should have access to the health services they need, including HIV prevention, treatment and care services, when and where they need them.”

She added: “Challenging stigma and discrimination is where you protect everyone’s human rights essential to achieving universal HIV care and breaking down barriers to access.”

According to the Department of Health, there are approximately 300 people in Bermuda living with HIV/Aids, most between the ages of 25 and 64.

Men account for three out of four cases, and sexual contact remains the most common mode of transmission.