FOR A decade, Jamaica AIDS Support (JAS) gave hope and help to over 1,500 persons living with or affected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
But in its 10th year, JAS may soon cease to exist.
Executive director, Ian Mc-Knight said Thursday that JAS will close its three remaining offices in Kingston, St. Ann and St. James and end all programmes on April 30, 2002.
Mr. McKnight said that funding had ceased after six years and funds-raising and appeals have not yielded the $12 million JAS needs yearly to cover administrative and operational costs.
So, on May 1, 75 persons living with HIV will have to survive without support programmes such as the JAS' Home Based Care programme and 28 people, some of whom are HIV positive, will be out of a job.
Among them is 37-year-old Judith, who was diagnosed with HIV three years ago.
"It has affected me greatly. I am the sole breadwinner for my family, my child and myself. There are bills to be paid and this is the only job that you are sure you'll be comfortable at with people knowing that you are HIV-positive," she remarked.
For Judith, the upcoming closure also means a loss of HIV-fighting drugs and support.
"My medication used to be donated by some friends. I am really scared now that I am going to lose that. And another thing, where are we going to get the support? I don't think the people who were here, when they get other jobs, are going to have much time for this. Which company is going to give them time? For me, the tears are here but unshed so it's stressing. I'm nervous. I'm actually at the point of breaking down. We only have a week left and I can't bear to think about it," she lamented, adding that her teenaged child is now worrying so much that the child has stopped eating.
The impending closure yesterday prompted non-governmental AIDS support organisation, National AIDS Committee (NAC) to condemn the situation.
"It is ironic that a group formed...to put HIV/AIDS on the political agenda is now closing its doors because it cannot pay for its rent, light, water, salaries and telephone. With HIV/AIDS now on the political agenda, with millions of dollars earmarked for programmes of prevention, care, support and surveillance, the fact that this agency should be threatened with closure is a national disgrace," NAC chairman, Howard Hamilton, said.
(named changed to protect privacy)
