Lack Of A.I.D.S. Aid Criticised (Press, 7 August 1984)

On 7 August 1984, Bruce Burnett, the first Aucklander diagnosed with an AIDS-related condition, expressed his frustration regarding the lack of funding for disease prevention and support for victims in New Zealand. Burnett, aged 30, had returned from San Francisco eight months prior, presenting with symptoms that included swollen lymph glands and a parasitic intestinal infection. However, his condition could not be classified as AIDS since he did not exhibit life-threatening illnesses. He reported feeling frequently weak and tired, with recurring mild illnesses, rashes, and discomfort that prevented him from working, necessitating monthly hospital visits. Burnett has taken on the role of coordinator for a newly established AIDS Support Network in New Zealand, which was launched the previous month. He is actively organising seminars aimed at educating the public about AIDS prevention across the country. Despite receiving moral support from hospitals and the Health Department, he lamented the clear absence of financial investment, stating, “no money is available." He has created an informational pamphlet focused on risk reduction to be shared primarily with homosexuals and at-risk groups, highlighting the widespread ignorance and denial regarding the disease's potential impact in New Zealand. He noted that while caring for each AIDS patient could cost up to NZ$100,000, there seemed to be reluctance to allocate even NZ$5,000 to NZ$10,000 for prevention initiatives. Alarmingly, for every diagnosed AIDS victim, there could be 10 to 20 individuals presenting similar symptoms without having the fully developed disease. Staff at Auckland Hospital’s venereology clinic have raised concerns that early-stage AIDS cases may be overlooked due to limited operating hours and privacy issues at the clinic. Dr Janet Say, a microbiologist and venereologist, commented on the possibility that AIDS could already be present within the community among individuals who contracted the virus abroad. She noted that the lack of privacy deterred many in the gay community and other affected groups from seeking necessary healthcare at the hospital, preferring to visit private doctors instead. This trend has led to fears that if a cluster of AIDS cases were later identified in Auckland, the health services would be held accountable for failing to detect and address them early. Dr Say expressed concern over the potential consequences of this situation, stressing the importance of ensuring early detection of AIDS and other serious illnesses. She indicated that the current lack of privacy and accessible services was driving affected individuals underground, complicating efforts to manage the disease within the community effectively.

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