Madam, - I congratulate The Irish Timesfor publishing "An Irishman's HIV Story" by Barry Malone (Magazine, January 27th). It gave a momentary insight into the trauma that an HIV-positive diagnosis brings. It also pointed to the awful truth that social and racial inequity result in effective lack of access for the majority of those needing HIV prevention, care, treatment and support services.
In my work in regions hard-hit by the global HIV pandemic, I am privileged sometimes to encounter HIV programmes, projects and initiatives supported by the Irish Government through Irish Aid.
In addition, Irish Aid support of global programmes such as the Global Network of HIV Positives (GNP+) and the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) brings a significant Irish presence into the arena, and in some small degree adds to my own national pride. However as a regular overseas reader of the Saturday Irish Times, I am sometimes disappointed by the level of self-absorption in what Irish people consider newsworthy. Barry Malone's article focused on an aspect of the lives of millions of people which is beyond our comfort zone.
That Mr Malone, on hearing his diagnosis, blamed his partner for having "given" HIV to him was unfortunate. It failed highlight the fact that we are each responsible for our own sexual health and consensual sexual activity. It masked the fact that an HIV diagnosis is all too often blamed on the partner and when the partner is a woman in a developing country it all too often leads to her abandonment by husband, family, tribe and community.
It is unfortunate too that some readers resented you even printing the article. Thank you for raising the issue, and bringing it "home" so effectively. - Yours, etc,
HARRY WALSH, Prevention International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Brighton, England.