Need for HIV Training for Aanganwadi workers

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

I don't know how everyone on this forum will react to my following

question.

In Himachal Pradesh child development office is appointing

Aanganwadi workers in various Anganwadi's in every village. We have

a list of many widows who are tested HIV+. Last Saturday i came to

know that one of the HIV+ widow has gone for the interview of

Anganwadi worker. In case she get selected many children are in

danger of contacting this deadly virus.

This is the only one case i am involved with. there may be so many +

people who may get appointed as Anganwadi worker throughout Himachal

Pradesh. Don't you think that it is responsibility of

administration to take some crucial decisions before announcing any

job vacancy where there is a danger for others life.

Aanganwadi workers are required to prepare food and to take care of

children in day time. The risk of children getting HIV in

Anaganwadi's is very low, especially if they carefully follow

universal precautions (i.e., using protective practices). We know that casual,

everyday contact with an HIV-infected person does not expose to HIV.

For children, the main risk of HIV transmission is through accidental injuries

from any sharp instruments that may be contaminated with the virus. Even this

risk is small. Scientists estimate that the risk of infection from a needle or

any skin piercing instrument is less than 1 per cent, but it need a lot of hard

work to educate HIV+ Anganwadi workers

I know some of the families very closely and know that they are not aware that

they can infect other members of family accidentally (not

intentionally). I and some of my friend are thinking of some source of income

for these families but don't know what to do and how?

If you think this is a question of concern, please respond.

Regards

Deepa

Deep Mala Kaushal

e-mail: <deepa12313@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Deep Mala Kaushal's posting on the Need for HIV Training for

Aanganwadi workers has attracted several responses. The following are

some of the responses. [Moderator]

1) Dr. Umesh Sankaran "

Dear Forum,

The probability of transmitting infections like mycobacterium and

fungi from an hivier anganwadi teacher/worker could be a little bit

higher than a non-hivier .

Transmission of hiv in such settings are only theoretical, not

practical. Don't get terrorized

Dr.umesh

HIV medicine consult

e-mail: <ummusen1957@...>

2) Dr. Rajesh Gopal

For heaven's sake kindly refrain from making a statement without

checking the facts.

NO.NO.NO. An HIV +ve anganwadi worker will not put any children

to the risk of acquisition of HIV.

Please do some reading about the epidemiology of the disease which is

not a contagious disease inspite of it being a

communicable/infectious one which spreads through specific routes

only.

Please learn about and promote GIPA.

We have HIV positive persons as full time staff in office(GSACS),in

ART centres and testing centres besides their representation in all

the decision making bodies.

Dear Deepa please get your facts corrected even when you ' know that

it cannot spread by casual contacts.

I apologies for my words which are definitely not an over reaction

because such views are fuelling the epidemic of stigma and

discrimination faced by the PLHIV.

Best wishes,

Dr.Rajesh Gopal

Addl.Project Director(i/c)

Gujarat SACS.

e-mail: <dr_rajeshg@...>

3) Dr. Divya Mithel

Dear Mala,

This is regarding HIV positive people as Anganwadi workers. you have

already mentioned that a casual contact does not transmit the Virus.

Please start believing that too.

It is the secondary skin or respiratory infections which might

transmitted which also happens when the care taker is NOT carrying

the virus. Please do not get unduly concerned and let the HIV

positives work as Anganwadi workers.

It is a big relief to know that at last they ( the positive people)

are being accepted in the main stream of the society.

love,

Dr. Divya Mithel,

Jyothis Care Center,

Kalamboli, Navi Mumbai

e-mail: <d_mithel@...>

4) Christal Jn Baptiste

I think this question is very important and should be considered.

Christal Jn Baptiste

e-mail: <babyboo_lovely5@...>

5) GAP

Dear Madam,

I am shocked to read your concern in this forum .If you are a regular

reader of this forum, then you must understand that you are having

false concern.

Do you think that the positive mother should not take care of her own

children because there is a possibility of infecting her own children.

(!?)

GAP-ISRCDE

e-mail: <gapad1@...>