Mumbai: Public transport staff and city policemen seek HIV/AIDS treatment

April 25, 2006

BEST Employees And City Policemen Seek HIV/AIDS Treatment

2 Apr 2006. Page 1

Nearly 250 employees of the BEST and 300 city policemen are currently

undergoing treatment for HIV/AIDS. So far, 150 and 100 HIV positive

cases have been detected among BEST and city police force

respectively. It is feared that the number of HIV/AIDS cases among the

police could be higher.

The social stigma attached to HIV/AIDS and fear of discrimination

prevents many policemen from coming forward to test their HIV status.

Eventually, they land up at municipal or government hospitals,

remarked Dr. SM Patil, a practicing surgeon at the police hospital in

Nagpada.

Drivers and conductors are the worst hit by HIV/AIDS, according to

BEST statistics. A majority of the non-Mumbai drivers stay alone in

the city. These drivers have demanding schedules and indulge in sexual

activities that increase the risk of HIV transmission to unwind

themselves, said Omprakash Ahuja, chief medical officer, BEST.

In addition to funding HIV/AIDS treatment programs, awareness

programmes are also being conducted on a regular basis by both the

organizations, in the best interest of the employees. The cost

associated with HIV treatment is roughly about Rs 2, 000 per patient

every month.

The HIV/ AIDS awareness programmes that were previously conducted at

centralized locations have now been shifted to staff colonies, said

general manager Mr. Kshatiya. This enables the employee's family

members to also participate in the programs. Although most of the

people were reluctant to disclose their HIV positive status initially,

they have now come forward to take up treatment for the same.

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