Medical services for the 2,000 people who live with HIV or AIDS in the State have been seriously curtailed since the nurses strike began on Tuesday.
With the outpatient facilities of the HIV units of the major hospitals closed, only emergency cover for HIV-positive and AIDS patients is still being provided.
It is understood that there are no HIV tests being carried out at St James's, Beaumont and the Mater hospitals in Dublin. Those presenting for their regular three-monthly appointments are being turned away and patients who visit clinics once a month for blood tests are not being accommodated.
Ms Linda Reed from Dublin has been HIV-positive for the past 10 years and says that while the strike has meant reduced access to services, she still backs the nurses. "I fully support the nurses in their strike because I believe they should be properly paid." Ms Reed is awaiting some important test results which will give details of her latest viral load. This would indicate the type of treatment she should be receiving. The results cannot be accessed because of the strike.
The GUM (Genito Urinary Medicine) and HIV unit of St James's Hospital is operating a special phone line for those with HIV or AIDS which can be called between 10 a.m. and 4.30 p.m, at 01-416 2315