Bahrain: HIV worker to go home to Andhra Pradesh

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Bahrain: HIV worker to go home

By EUNICE del ROSARIO

INDIAN Embassy officials have begun drawing up emergency travel

documents for an Indian labourer with HIV after a search for his

Bahraini sponsor proved unsuccessful. Muthanna Poshanna, who is

unaware he has the virus that causes Aids, hopes to be reunited with

his family whom he has not seen in over 15 years.

" The embassy is now in the process of making his travel documents

and hopefully he could be home in about a week, " Surya Charitable

and Cultural Association (SCCA) general secretary and Indian

Community Relief Fund (ICRF) treasurer said K R Nair yesterday.

" We tried searching for the Bahraini man who brought him here on a

free visa, but we could not find him, that is why the travel

documents are necessary as Mr Poshanna does not have his passport

with him. "

It is not known how Mr Poshanna acquired the HIV virus.

Indian Embassy officials, volunteer visitors and Salmaniya Medical

Complex (SMC) staff have tried explaining what the virus is, but say

he cannot fully grasp what it means.

The embassy is trying to send him home to Andhra Pradesh as soon as

possible, under the rule that any expatriate found with HIV must

leave Bahrain immediately.

The 46-year-old patient also suffers from Tuberculosis (TB), which

was discovered along with the HIV, when friends took him to the SMC

on February 1, after he became so ill that he was unable to move,

said Mr Nair.

Mr Poshanna first came to Bahrain in 1991 on a free visa.

When he arrived his Bahraini sponsor took his passport away and he

was left to find work for himself.

He eventually found work as a labourer.

He was unable to get home to see his wife, who died of cancer three

months ago.

His three children have grown up without him.

When he spoke with the GDN last month, Mr Poshanna said he hoped his

children, particularly his 16-year-old daughter, still remembered

him.

" I am hoping they will not mind taking care of me, " he had said

through a translator.

Mr Poshanna has shown signs of improvement, said Mr Nair.

" He is now able to move, talk and eat properly.

" With continuous medication he can still lead a good life.

" Unfortunately, he does not understand the nature of his HIV, so he

has no idea how he got this virus or when. "

He added that with treatment, Mr Poshanna's TB stands a very good

chance of being cured.

Doctors say that Mr Poshanna is fit enough to travel back to India,

as long as he is escorted throughout the flight.

The ICRF is shouldering the cost of air tickets.

However, donations are being accepted for Mr Poshanna and those who

want to contribute may contact Mr Nair on 39652009.

Vol XXVIII NO. 359 Tuesday 14th March 2006

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?

Article=138046 & Sn=BNEW & IssueID=28359