The NZ AIDS Foundation is being called mean-spirited after deciding to divert into its prevention progamme half of the proceeds of a public appeal traditionally benefiting financially stressed HIV positive individuals. HIV People's peer suppport organisation Body Positive has confirmed that the Foundation initially wanted to keep all of the street appeal to itself in the future with nothing going to the Wellness Fund, which has been the recipient of money from the national bucket appeal since its inception two decades ago. Even the 50/50 split was hard won by the HIV groups. Initially the NZAF tried to retain all the proceeds, then suggested releasing 25%. "It outraged us,” responded Body Positive's general manager Bruce Kilmister. “It was the most mean-spirited thing we had ever encountered.” The NZAF says the half it has decided to retain from the appeal, likely to be around $15-17,000 if this year's World AIDS Day collection reflects recent years' totals, will be an important supplement to its HIV prevention budget of approximately a million dollars. To HIV people's support group Body Positive, which has taken over operation of the Fund on behalf of people living with HIV, that amount represents almost half of the entire annual income for the already cash-strapped Wellness Fund. The NZAF says its research shows people with the virus are now living better lives under new publicly-funded drug regimes, implying there is less need for support from the Fund. Body positive says there is great need for the support payments, especially with the number of people living with HIV increasing by around 100 every year. The NZAF has handed the Fund over to Body Positive to operate on behalf of the National Collective of HIV support organisations with just $8,000 in the bank to last until December. Figures released by the NZAF suggest that it has itself disbursed at least $26,000 from the Fund in the six months since the last appeal. You can discuss this New Zealand gay community news story in the GayNZ.com Forum
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 17th July 2011 - 2:07am