Serving troops who are on HIV suppressive therapy and have no detectable virus in their blood will be considered fully fit for all duties as of today. The policy change also applies to anybody interested in joining the military, removing the stigma of living with HIV as a barrier to service.
Today’s declaration follows substantial policy reforms made on World Aids Day last year, allowing persons taking HIV prevention medication known as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to join the Armed Forces with immediate effect.
The reforms reflect the Department of Defense’s awareness of improvements in HIV management, treatment, and prevention, as well as its commitment to making the Armed Forces a more contemporary and inclusive workplace.
Lieutenant General James Swift, Chief of Defence People, said, “Our people are our most valuable asset, and as part of our drive to modernize our Armed Forces, we are making these long overdue policy changes so that people with HIV but no detectable virus can now join the military, and those serving will be declared fully fit.”
This positive shift in policy acknowledges the remarkable medical advances that have been accomplished, as well as those who worked tirelessly to bring about these reforms.
We will continue to work to ensure that all of our personnel have the greatest possible experience, with a focus on their health and well-being, and that they may serve with pride and feel respected and supported in a contemporary Armed Forces.
Terrence Higgins Trust Chief Executive Ian Green remarked, “Forty years after the start of the HIV epidemic, this historic regulatory change demonstrates the genuinely incredible progress that has been accomplished.”
In the fight against HIV, we’ve come a long way, and you may today live a long, healthy life with the infection. That implies no profession should be off-limits, including military service.
It is critical that it is effectively implemented now in order to see the real-world impact of this historic move on both current serving troops and those who aspire to join.
We also need to see an end to the last remaining barrier, which prevents military and air traffic controllers from using the HIV prevention drug PrEP to protect themselves.
This has to be assessed and put into action as soon as feasible.
For the first time since I told the Royal Navy about my HIV diagnosis, Lieutenant Commander Oli Brown may now be declared fully fit. Being labeled as restricted deployable made me doubt myself and my abilities, and it had a negative impact on my mental health.
The most important aspect of this transition is knowing that no one else will experience what I did.
The message is clear: HIV-positive persons are not restricted in any manner.
I take one medication a day to keep my HIV undetectable and prevent me from passing it on to others. There is no reason why I, or anybody else in the Armed Forces, should be constrained, and today’s change acknowledges that reality.
Those who are now unable to deploy on missions will be relieved by the modifications revealed today. People living with HIV will be provided with personal medical supplies to last them during their deployment, according to the new policy.
If this is misplaced or damaged, it can be replaced using the same procedure as other personnel who require regular medicine.
The policy reforms aim to eliminate unnecessary limitations and processes, ensuring that HIV is treated similarly to any other medical condition.
These measures will help to eliminate the stigma associated with HIV and encourage everyone to get tested and treated, resulting in a better outcome for everybody.
In addition, the Department of Defense continues to provide a comprehensive and high-quality clinical service to serving people living with HIV.
This fulfills commitments made at the end of last year to ensure that our Armed Forces remain at the forefront of medical developments and that our serving members are treated as world leaders.