Kashmir grapples with growing AIDS

[Guest guest]

Kashmir grapples with growing AIDS

IANS, Monday, September 18, 2006 10:41 IST

[in a survey conducted by international NGO FXB, nearly 85 people

infected with HIV/AIDS were found to have died in Jammu's Hiranagar

village block alone - which contradicts the claims of the JKSAPCS.]

JAMMU: Jammu & Kashmir has a new problem to contend with now - a

sharp rise in HIV/AIDS cases. While officials claim there are 745

such cases in the insurgency-hit state, unofficial estimates peg the

number at 25,000.

In 1999, there were only two cases reported, writes Grassroots

Features. The northern state lies in a low prevalence risk zone,

with the infection rate among the high-risk groups (STD-infected) at

0.95 per cent and among the low-risk groups at 0.06 per cent.

However, the influx of migrant labourers, truck drivers, security

personnel as well as tourists could result in a rise in HIV/AIDS

cases.

In addition, commercial sex, the difficult terrain and socio-

cultural diversity pose a tough challenge to spreading awareness

about the disease.

" Though Jammu and Kashmir lies in the low prevalence zone, it does

not mean that the threat of HIV/AIDS is any less here, " said M A

Wani, project director of the Jammu and Kashmir State AIDS

Prevention and Control Society (JKSAPCS).

" Considering the peculiar factors and present circumstances, the

state is uniquely positioned and spreading awareness about the virus

is a greater challenge, " he added.

With only 56 per cent literacy in the state, disseminating

information and spreading awareness about the disease have not been

an easy task. The inhospitable weather conditions and the difficult

terrain also pose major hurdles.

" Since several languages and dialects are spoken in the state -

Kashmiri, Urdu, Dogri, Punjabi, Ladakhi, Pahari and Gujjari - it's

even more challenging to accomplish minor tasks like developing

video films, songs and posters, " he added.

The growing number of intravenous drug users and an increase in

prostitution has also sparked off fears of a worsening AIDS scenario

in the state.

" Existing NACO (National AIDS Control Organisation) guidelines do

not provide costing and implementation of the Targeted Intervention

(TI) programme for migrant labourers in a systematic manner, which

for example is the second highest risk group in Jammu and Kashmir, "

said Wani.

However, in a novel attempt to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, the

JKSAPCS has roped in religious leaders like Muslim imams and Sikh

granthis in the state to educate people against the spread of the

deadly virus.

Religious leaders are no longer hesitant to talk about safe sex now

despite being part of a conservative society. Initially, the

programme was implemented in six districts of Kashmir, and nearly

400 imams have been trained so far.

The JKSAPCS is also holding talks with Sikh and Christian priests to

involve them in the programme. The initiative draws inspiration from

Uganda and Indonesia, where such messages are being propagated

through imams.

So far, seminars and awareness programmes imparting complete

information about HIV/AIDS have been held for over 600 imams in the

state. The JKSAPCS is hoping to train as many Sikh religious leaders

and granthis.

The increased presence of police, military, and paramilitary forces

in the state has added to the risk factor.

Concerned by the recent increase in HIV/AIDS cases among

paramilitary forces deployed in the valley, the state government

communicated its concern to the security agencies.

A majority of the cases detected in the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of

Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and the SMHS Hospital in Srinagar belonged

to the Border Security Forces (BSF) and the Central Reserve Police

Force (CRPF). In fact, such cases were detected during routine tests

of the security personnel.

" We have been conducting workshops on HIV/AIDS at the basic unit

level and further up in the Northern Command Hospital for educating

officers, jawans and their families, " said an army spokesperson.

The BSF has introduced a bi-annual health check-up for its doctors.

Though the AIDS awareness programme for defence personnel does not

come under the ambit of the JKSAPCS, it has been conducting

programmes for army, air force and police officers, jawans and their

families.

Official figures have, however, recorded only 37 deaths out of the

95 full-blown reported cases here though the real figure is

suspected to be higher.

In a survey conducted by international NGO FXB, nearly 85 people

infected with HIV/AIDS were found to have died in Jammu's Hiranagar

village block alone - which contradicts the claims of the JKSAPCS.

An independent study conducted by Jammu-based clinical immunologist

Anil Mahajan notes that HIV/AIDS in the state is no longer a low

prevalence disease. Paramilitary forces, truck drivers and

housewives were the major affected groups.

Most deaths have occurred among the rural poor with infected locals

working outside the state to support their families. Several cases

of stigmatisation against the HIV/AIDS patients have also been

reported. Unfortunately, no organised care facility exists for the

patients.

The Government Medical College in Srinagar and SKIMS only provide

patients free medicines for opportunistic infections. While there

were only three Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centres (VCTCs)

earlier in the state, eight more have been established recently,

including one in the Leh district hospital.

A lack of committed NGOs and voluntary organisations in the state

that would have otherwise augmented the awareness drive and helped

in implementing the programmes is compounding the problem.

" It's very difficult approaching people in diverse areas with the

message of HIV/AIDS with such little resources, " said S. Vani, a

social worker.

With only six local NGOs working along with JKSAPCS, the fight

against AIDS in Jammu & Kasmhir, like militancy, is set to be a long

drawn one.

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