A Scottish charity supporting people living with HIV is set to close.
A statement from HIV Scotland said a “series of significant challenges” – including the resignations of board members – meant it had to be wound up.
Governance concerns and the “precarious financing climate” were mentioned.
The charity was founded in 1994 as the Scottish Voluntary HIV and AIDS Forum and has been at the forefront of prevention and treatment initiatives for the virus in Scotland.
HIV Scotland self-testing services are now closed.
A statement from the charity’s board members, published on its website, said: “Due to a number of significant challenges, the board has made the incredibly difficult decision to wind up the charity.
“HIV Scotland has operated in a complex and challenging environment. “
It added: “This has included significant changes in corporate governance, with the hiring of a new chairman and board of directors, and an entirely new management and staff team over the past two years.
“While this has brought some stability to the charity, there have been some recent changes in the organization’s leadership that have been a cause for concern.
The statement cites funding issues and maintaining support from outside stakeholders as two other issues the charity is facing.
In 2021, HIV Scotland was fined £10,000 after it sent an email containing the personal details of dozens of people.
The data breach affected an email sent to 105 people, including patient advocates representing people living with HIV in Scotland.
The Scottish Government has a target of zero HIV transmission by 2030.
Labor MP Monica Lennon said it was a “vital goal that must be met”.
“The closure of HIV Scotland is truly sad and will be of concern to people living with HIV,” she added in a post on Twitter.
“When we think of all the staff and volunteers, past and present, they can be proud of their legacy.”
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