MARY ROBINSON, ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO THE PREMISES OF AIDS HELP WEST
GALWAY ON 26 OCTOBER, 1993
- I am delighted to be here with you today as your Patron, to visit your premises, to meet you and to congratulate you on the quality of the services that you provide for people with AIDS in this area.
- Since my inauguration as President I have been privileged to meet many voluntary organisations throughout this island. The outstanding work that those organisations carry out in the community, and the dedication and commitment of the members are a constant source of inspiration and pride. Without this voluntary commitment our society and standards of care for the vulnerable groups within that society would be very much the poorer.
- HIV/AIDS is a comparatively recent phenomenon which has grown enormously to impact on all our lives. More people in the community, as a result of media coverage, health services announcements and the work of organisations such as yours, are aware of HIV/AIDS and of the seriousness of the problem, but those most at risk tend also to be the least informed and aware.
- The more enlightened response to HIV/AIDS and the better understanding and compassion that is shown by the community to those who are infected or have developed the illness is due in no small part to the efforts of the voluntary organisations in developing services and in creating a fuller understanding of the condition.
- I am pleased that the problems of HIV/AIDS in the West of Ireland are being addressed in a caring, loving way and I understand that at present there are about twelve persons availing of services provided by AIDS Help West. Since your organisation was founded in 1987 you have brought hope and practical help to patients in this region and to their families and friends.
- Among the services which you provide are:
- A telephone helpline which is a good first point of contact because it helps to preserve anonymity. This anonymity is very often a real concern for people who may believe that they have put themselves at risk or who are otherwise worried or anxious.
- Support Services including one-to-one befriending, a "Body Positive" support group for people with HIV or AIDS, a family support group, a counsellor, a holiday/respite scheme and complementary therapies.
- I also understand that you have provided speakers for schools and a variety of groups in order to foster a greater awareness of HIV/AIDS.
- While AIDS Help West has already organised a comprehensive range of services it is endeavouring to expand its services even further, particularly for persons who are affected by HIV or AIDS in areas which are distant from Galway city. Your plans to establish a network of volunteers throughout the Western Health Board area is ambitious and worthy of our support, as are your plans to provide non-medical care for people with HIV or AIDS, hopefully in their own homes.
- In your desire to limit the spread of the illness, AIDS Help West hope to develop an extension of the Education/Outreach service to ensure that the two most important messages are known to everyone in the community:
- the facts about HIV transmission to try to halt the spread of infection; and
- that persons in the community affected by HIV or AIDS need our support and understanding.
- Finally, I would like to say that I have been greatly heartened by the level of cooperation and collaboration which exists between the voluntary agencies, not least through the sharing of premises here in this excellent St. Vincent de Paul building, and between the voluntary organisations and the statutory services, specifically the Western Health Board.