The Department of Health’s denial of core funding for a HIV charity has sent a “damaging message” to those living with the condition, the organisation’s Chief Executive has said.
Some 25 community and voluntary sector organisations were granted a total of £1.8m in core grant funding from the Department on Wednesday.
Overall, there were 259 applications for funding, with the level of funding remaining the same as last year.
Among those who missed out on the funding is Positive Life NI, which works to support those living with HIV in Northern Ireland.
Chief Executive Jacquie Richardson said the decision had left the charity facing an uncertain future, as well as threatening those living with the condition and public health efforts to eliminate it by 2030.
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“This decision is indicative of the lack of value placed on our sector and is typical of the short-termist approach to the vital work our sector does to prop up the health service,” said Ms Richardson.
“At a human level, this is a devastating decision for people living with HIV” – Jacquie Richarson, Positive Life NI CEO
“While HIV is no longer life-threatening, it is a serious illness which requires life-long expensive drug treatment.
“Basic mathematics tells us that the cost of drug therapy for just one additional new HIV patient in Northern Ireland would fund Positive Life’s core costs for 3 years.
Jacquie Richardson, CEO, Positive Life NI
“This decision is not meeting the Minister’s stated drive to tackle prevention in order to reduce the cost of treatment.
“It also ignores the fact that the number one priority in the Department’s Sexual Health Action Plan focuses on supporting people living with HIV and elimination of new diagnosis.
“Without our consistent campaigning and community support, the real risk is that the downward trend in diagnoses will be reversed, numbers will increase and so too will the overall cost of treating HIV in NI.”
Ms Richardson said the denial of funding sent a “damaging message” to those living with the condition.
“At a human level, this is a devastating decision for people living with HIV, who already face stigma and isolation,” she said.
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“Because of this, our service users find it very difficult to speak out, for fear of judgment and rejection.
“My greatest personal fear is the potential mental health impact for people living with HIV. Our service users all rely on confidential support and a network of others with shared experiences of living with HIV.
“We’ve worked tirelessly with the Department and elected representatives to progress a sense of worth and value for them in the wider NI community. With one stroke of a pen, this is completely undermined.”
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said his department’s 2025/26 budget allocation did not allow him to grant funding to all who applied.
“When I announced my plan to redesign the scheme in July 2024, I made it clear that my intention was to address the fundamental unfairness in the previous scheme, which has funded the same organisations for more than 20 years,” he said.
“I wanted the scheme to be open and transparent, and for as many organisations as possible to be able to bid for funding.
“Naturally, introducing competition meant that there would be winners and losers, but those who have missed out this time will have a further opportunity later this year to bid for funding in 2026/27.”