Migrants and asylum seekers are often forced into lives of destitution, which undermines their health and their ability to access treatment. A disproportionate number of these people are living with HIV and they suffer from not having the same access to care as the general population. HIV-positive asylum seekers in immigration centres also frequently become more ill as a direct result of being detained.
NAT monitors and influences immigration policy and challenges unfair policy decisions which could have a negative impact on the health of people living with HIV. We make key groups aware of their entitlement to treatment on the NHS, we campaign for effective implementation of universal treatment guidelines and for people arriving in the UK to have fast access to HIV testing and treatment.