State to fill 3 positions
in HIV/AIDS preventionThere will be no break in service
when current temporary posts end
Hawaii HIV/AIDS advocates are relieved that the state Department of Health is moving to fill three positions critical to maintaining some services for patients.
State Health and Human Resources Development directors told the Star-Bulletin last month there would be no break in services when current temporary positions end June 30.
But advocates were worried until they saw the Health Department advertising recently for the three posts, converted from temporary to permanent civil service status in the STD/AIDS Prevention Branch.
"We congratulate the administration on their responsiveness by cutting the red tape that stood between people and health care," said Tom Sheeran, co-chairman of Hawaii CARES, the HIV care services consortium.
Sheeran worked hard behind the scenes with the governor's Committee on HIV/AIDS, provider organizations and clients to ensure continuance of the services.
They were concerned that the governor's freeze on vacancies would affect the three key positions in the HIV/AIDS program if the conversion and recruitment process was not completed by June 30.
The programs include testing and medical monitoring for about 900 patients statewide, free medications for about 300 people and continuance of insurance payments for those who lose jobs and insurance coverage.
Kathleen Watanabe, Human Resources Development director, said last month she had assured Health Director Chiyome Fukino there would be no disruption of services. She said it was a good example "that we're going to make sure the bureaucracies of government don't stop essential services to the community."
Acting on Fukino's recommendation, Gov. Linda Lingle approved recruitment for the positions program director, patient services coordinator and a specialized pharmacologist.
Dr. Cyril Goshima, chairman of the governor's Committee on HIV/AIDS, who had met with Fukino to stress the importance of the services, said, "We were counting on the new administration to listen to and be responsive to the voice of the community, and we were not disappointed."
Paul Groesbeck, Life Foundation executive director, said: "This is good news for hundreds of people living with HIV who depend on these very critical Department of Health services. The timely action of the governor and her staff is greatly appreciated."
The HIV drug assistance program received more than $1.65 million in federal funds this fiscal year and $440,000 in state funds.
State Health Department