All the news that’s fit to print from the HIV sector
Cuts, mergers and battles for funding dominate sector news
this month.
Sad news from Body Positive Brighton (BPB), forced to close
their Circus Street doors in January. Rumours abound but sources confirm it
was BPB’s own directors who decided to close rather than limp along
with reduced services.
Newly diagnosed support will continue at Sussex County Hospital and
complimentary therapists hope to continue at other HIV groups in the area.
Respected respite and day care charity Sussex Beacon, former
BPB partners in the Brighton Wellspring Group, assure
us they remain fully operational and hopeful for the future.
Terrence Higgins Trust and Open Door, will continue to provide services
in the city, but BPB’s closure does mean less choice for HIV
positive people in the area.
A nasty spat is brewing on the south coast with some HIV groups questioning
the need for a proposed Brighton Aids Memorial.
THT South says the local community has not been consulted
and the £20,000 bill for the memorial could be better spent elsewhere.
But local organiser James Ledward, backed by Brighton Mayor
Councillor Paul Elgood, says local gay businesses will stump up the
money for the Old Steine Memorial.
Saddest news this month must be the death of Paul Wilde on
17 January, organiser and producer of Brighton Pride for
many years as well as producer of Pride events around the country.
Paul’s charm, determination and organisational skills were a great help
to HIV charities for fundraising and PR purposes
Heading north of the border, we’re pleased to hear new Scottish HIV
rates fell by 14 per cent last year. This has been put down to effective needle
exchange programmes, promoting HIV testing and powerful safer sex messages.
HIV Scotland chair Roy Kilpatrick told us:
“We are seeing more and more people from sub-Saharan Africa and eastern
Europe. Emerging issues demand new prevention responses, while the support
needs of those newly diagnosed are becoming more complex.”
Meanwhile, Roy urges Scottish activists to look at the Public Health
Consultation to the Scottish Executive and make sure that the needs
of HIV positive people are included in the process. www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/152453/0040999.pdf
Staying in Scotland, we must mark the retirement of Dr Dermot Kennedy,
lead consultant in HIV and GU medicine at Glasgow’s Brownlee Centre
for 20 years, with big thanks for saving so many HIV positive Scots.
Up in the Highlands, news reaches us that THT has ‘merged’ with
another HIV charity, Reach Out Highland, to expand THT Scotland
further. info.highland@tht.org.uk
UKC’s community policy officer Kris Evans tells us
the campaign to get the government to agree to free maternity care for all
women living with HIV is gaining momentum with more than 92 MPs supporting
an Early Day Motion, tabled by Paul Burstow,
MP for Sutton and Cheam. View the list of supporters at http://edmi.parliament.uk/edmi/
and enter the EDM number 112. If your MP isn’t on the list email them
and urge them to sign up.
Finally, in last month’s HIV Sector News we incorrectly referred to
Nadezda Basyrova as an ‘HIV positive volunteer’.
We have been asked to point out that Nadezda is a volunteer on an exchange
with Freshwinds, Birmingham, which works with HIV positive
people. Apologies to Nadya and Freshwinds for any confusion.
Send your HIV sector news to: mflynn@positivenation.co.uk
Comings and goings at UKC
UKC has appointed three new staff to replace two who have moved on
to new career pastures. Stephanie Taylor-King (centre) replaces Paul Ferrier
as volunteer & resource centre manager while Viola Nagayenga (left) and
Mercy Banda (right) replace Chris Galloway as part-time careers advice officers.
Our best wishes to Paul and Chris on their new and exciting careers.
French
Prof to head Global Fund
The Board of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria has appointed
Professor Michel Kazatchkine as the next executive director.
Professor Kazatchkine, a leading French HIV physician, France’s ambassador
for HIV/Aids and former vice chair of the Global Fund, replaces Sir Richard
Feacham who steps down after five years on 31 March.
Sir Richard, former dean of London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
received a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours List.
The Global Fund has now approved grants for 450 programmes in 136 countries
totalling over $7 billion. www.theglobalfund.org
Minister
launches anti-stigma drive
Hilary Benn, secretary of state for International Development (DFID),
centre front, poses with ministry colleagues to launch the ‘Against
Injustice Discrimination Stigma’ campaign.
Pictured behind Mr Benn’s right shoulder is Robin Gorna, formerly of
THT and head of the DFID UK Aids team, who leaves London this spring to head
up the department’s work in South Africa.
The UK is now the second largest bilateral donor on Aids and is committed
to spend £1.5 billion on tackling HIV in developing countries between
2005 and 2008. DFID spent £385m in 2005-2006, a 29 per cent rise on
the 2004/05 level. www.dfid.gov.uk
