We welcome a new staff member to HIV-Sweden
Emanuel Karlström, who for several years worked as a coordinator and peer coordinator at Positiva Gruppen Syd, becomes a strategist at Hiv-Sverige. Emanuel has previously, among other things, designed the peer support concept Plusverket and been an active driver in strategic issues related to HIV in Sweden. Since 2020, Emanuel is also chairman of Hiv-Norden , where he is HIV-Sweden's representative.
At Hiv-Sverige, Emanuel will work with Anna and Simon who together form a fantastic trio.
'It is an honor to take on the role of strategist in HIV Sweden. I look forward to contributing and making a difference, both for those of us who live with HIV and to increase public awareness of what HIV has been and is today. To continue working with important issues such as access to peer support, the right to good health and reduced stigma feels very inspiring."
/Elisabeth Flodin, President of HIV-Sweden
You haven't missed Arbetet's series of articles on 'HIV at work'?
In January 2023, the newspaper Arbetet published a series of articles on living with HIV, focusing on "HIV at work".
As experts, HIV-Sweden intends not to use words such as "HIV-infected" or "infected" as we consider this to be a medical term. The correct terminology is people living with HIV.
10 answers about HIV: Do you have to tell your colleague that you are infected?
People living with HIV do not have to disclose it at work. Nor should anyone be discriminated against because of their HIV status. This article answers the most common questions about the virus.
She was silent all her working life - few people talk about HIV at work
Lisbeth in Helsingborg was diagnosed with HIV as a 53-year-old supervisor in the cleaning industry. She never told anyone at work. Today, thousands of Swedes are living with the virus, most of them of working age. But few dare to tell their workplace.
Gustav Dellhem chose to tell his HIV secret
Gustav Dellhem was at work when he got a call from the infection control unit. He chose to tell his boss immediately. For him, keeping his secret was never an option.
Yonna Waltersson: Everyone should be able to live openly with HIV
Science has mastered HIV. Now it is high time to overcome prejudice, writes Yonna Waltersson, editor-in-chief of Arbetet.
LO ombudsman: New laws may affect people with HIV infection
People living with HIV risk being in trouble with their employers due to the risk of increased short-term absence. LO ombudsman Sofie Årdh is also concerned that the new legislation may adversely affect people living with HIV.
Now is the time to nominate for this year's Honorary Red Ribbon.
Red Ribbon medal in gold and garnets by jewelry designer Michaela de la Cour.
Every year in May, in connection with International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day, HIV-Sweden awards its Honorary Red Ribbon. The award is given to a person or persons who in previous years have made a significant contribution to improving the situation for people living with HIV in Sweden. The award consists of a diploma and a Red Ribbon medal in gold and garnets by jewelry designer Michaela de la Cour.
Some of those who have received HIV-Sweden's Honorary Red Ribbon over the years are HIV activist Gustav Dellhem, the needle exchange project in Malmö, MP Barbro Westerholm, author Jonas Gardell and chief physician Pehr-Olov Pehrsson.
Now is the time to once again submit nominations for people or organizations that have made a significant contribution to people living with HIV over the years. Nominate the person or persons you think should receive the Honorary Red Ribbon in May 2023.
Write a nomination text by filling in the form.
The Board of HIV-Sweden will then vote on who will be awarded the nomination.
With kind regards,
The Board of Directors of HIV Sweden
HIV Sweden's Future Conference
Our future conference was attended by 20 people from Hiv-Sweden's umbrella and open for participation in Skåne where the conference was held at Comfort Hotel The Mill. The conference highlighted challenges in HIV in Sweden.
During the conference:
Rimi Shah, HIV doctor at the Royal Free Hospital London and Global Medical Affairs Director at Viv Healthcare.
Rimi spoke about stigma and the health aspect that stigma affects for people living with HIV. Stigma can lead to several different health impacting aspects, including increased cortisol in the individual, thus increasing chronic inflammation, which in turn can affect long-term health through co-morbidity.Emanuel Karlström from Positiva Gruppen Syd. He gave a lecture with the theme 'Openness, peer support and quality of life for people living with HIV - What conditions exist today?' Emanuel highlighted the imbalance and historical development between the legal, medical and social aspects of living with HIV.
Stu Fenton, a psychotherapist and world-leading chemsex therapist, gave a lecture and workshop. Chemsex is an increasing phenomenon in Europe and also in the Nordic countries. Chemsex is an exclusive term and usually includes methadrone, crystal meth and GHB. The use of apps in combination with sex, usually in groups, which in some parts is also referred to as 'Party 'n Play' (PNP) or 'Chills'. PNP and Chills is a more inclusive term where other drugs in conjunction with sex create the same phenomenon.
Simon Blom, Ombudsman
Report from the Medical Products Agency's Consumer and Patient Council
The Swedish Medical Products Agency's Consumer and Patient Council met on October 12. During the day, the updates on the Covid-19 vaccine were discussed. The latest booster vaccine has a different approval process as the Covid-19 vaccine has been tested more extensively than any previous vaccine.
Smallpox vaccine is available, but there has been a shortage of suppliers in the initial emergency phase.
Residual listings of medicines have increased in Sweden, the Swedish Medical Products Agency reports today. They announce that when the Medical Products Agency will take over the presidency of the EU in 2023, the supply issue will be prioritized. In Sweden, there is no authority that is responsible but only supervision, which means that there is a shortage in the entire supply chain. Stockpiling must be done both from the defense and the regions, which have received extra funds for this. They emphasized the importance of encouraging our members to pick out an extra can, that is, take out when you have a can left at home.
Pharmaceutical companies are required to report two months in advance. When this happens, a forecast can be viewed on the MPA website, or FASS.
Simon Blom, Ombudsman