Re: Every month, 500 more kids to go on ART

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

/message/9137

Its very clear that early and regular treatment with ART will

prolong the life span of HIV infected children. But my concern is

that, when the child loses both the parents and becomes an orphan

he/she becomes a burden for the next caregiver.

How far do the caregivers who are not parents take responsibility in

administering the drugs to the child regularly.

How many understand its importance?

The situation worsens if the child is not old enough to take care of

himself or herself. Motivation, imparting knowlege on HIV treatment,

Developing positive attitute towards HIV treatment is very important

in ensuring 100% adherence.

Abigail Divya

e-mail <abigaildivya@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum

Re: /message/9137

Abigail Divya wrote " Its very clear that early and regular treatment with ART

will prolong the life span of HIV infected children. But my concern is that,

when the child loses both the parents and becomes an orphan he/she becomes a

burden for the next caregiver. How far do the caregivers who are not parents

take responsibility in administering the drugs to the child regularly. How many

understand its importance?

The situation worsens if the child is not old enough to take care of

himself or herself. Motivation, imparting knowlege on HIV treatment,

Developing positive attitute towards HIV treatment is very important

in ensuring 100% adherence " .

I agree with this opinion. This is a big social and human issue. We make life

more miserable for children surviving on ART.

It is the same way that a couple was denied MTP (abortion ) for a unborn child

with heart disease, who may required costly treatment soon after birth and still

lives a compromised life. Medical science want unhealthy people to survive long

and be burden of care provider?

Are we concern with quantity of life or the quality of life?

It is debatable issue. just because we have no right to take away some ones

life.

Dr Deepti Dongaonkar

GMC, Mumbai

Deepti Dongaonkar

Prof OBGY

Grant Medical College

Mumbai, India

M 9323808838

e-mail: <ddongaonkar@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Re: /message/9137

Yes, the problem is a complicated one. On the one side medical science tries to

improve the life of the person suffering from the disease but on the other hand

the problem only lengthens, it does not go away, the suffering is worsened.

It is even more saddening that the relatives bear the burden of helping to

continue the life of someone while they themselves are barely able to manage

their own lives. It is a lose-lose situation all the way for children for no

fault of theirs.

And to top it all is the uncertainty of availability of the line of treatment.

S. A. Joshi

Nutritionist

E-MAIL: <shubha_joshi6@...>