Infected with HIV: Rejected and living on the edge

[Guest guest]

Infected with HIV: Rejected and living on the edge

BY K M JOSE AND B C BARIK

The authors carried out an extensive research on human rights violations against

people living with HIV/AIDS in the state and the data is alarming.

Even after all the progress in education and healthcare system, it

remains a fact that the attitude of our society towards HIV/AIDS is not at all

positive. An alarming number of cases of discrimination,

stigmatisation and denial are reported. One simple reason for this is

that it is often perceived as a disease of the ‘others’.

A recent study brings to light the miserable plight of the patients in

Andhra Pradesh †" either shunned by the family and community or

are forced to live on the edge of society.

The authors carried out an extensive research on human rights violations against

people living with HIV/AIDS in the state and the data is alarming. It shows the

intensity of the ground realities that prevail related to stigma, discrimination

and denial of basic human rights. As many as 200 HIV infected people were

interviewed as part of the study and 10 life histories were recorded.

The study shows that more than 50 per cent HIV infected people in the

state belonged to the age group of 15 to 30, and among them one third

are women. Another alarming trend is that 89 per cent of people living

with HIV are married but around 29 per cent are divorced or widowed or

separated after getting infected with HIV. Twenty five per cent HIV

infected people are not living with their immediate family members due

to various reasons. Approximately 70 per cent of the infected people

were abandoned by their friends after knowing about the infection.

This was mainly due to the feeling of hate developed among them (16 per cent),

family compulsions (25 per cent) and fear of contracting HIV (18 per cent).

The employment scenario has also shown discrimination towards the HIV

infected. Around 40 per cent of the infected persons are forced either

to stop working or expelled from work. HIV has influenced the social and

cultural life of the infected people and their participation in social

activities were reduced.

It was reported that the reason for social alienation is due to hate and fear

(28 per cent). The research proved that 92 per cent of infected people got

infected through sexual route and out of that 32 per cent women were infected

from their husbands. It was noted that in all these families at least 54 per

cent spouses and 13 per cent children are infected with HIV.

Mobility was also affected and 52 per cent of them felt discrimination

in public transport services. There was inadequate supply of medicines

as well as the services at government hospitals were poor. The medical

fraternity themselves were keeping away from providing treatment to

infected patients.

The ARV treatment, which is the only available medication for extending the

lifespan of the infected, is not available to the needy. Forty per cent of

patients, who require ARV is not getting it and 52 per cent find it difficult to

access medical support for opportunistic infections from government hospitals.

The response for the overall understanding of stigma and discrimination faced by

the infected indicates that as many as 55 per cent people living with HIV are

facing the issue from society.

The governance system was not responsive to the needs of this vulnerable group.

They were not given ration cards (30 per cent), they were denied loans from

banks (90 per cent). Children were also not spared by the wrath of this

frightful disease. The infected and affected children were discriminated at

schools by not allowing them to sit with other children (17 per cent).

Andhra Pradesh has the second highest number of HIV infections in India, with

around one per cent prevalence. Out of 16 lakh deliveries performed in the state

every year 32,000 women were HIV positive. Human rights violations and fear of

discrimination discourage people from doing anything that might identify them as

HIV+, such as getting tested for HIV, seeking treatment and support, and taking

other measures to protect themselves and others. Therefore most of the HIV

infected persons acknowledged that they keep their HIV status as secret.

Importantly, all infected persons confess that the most important dilemma they

face is the loss of their status in the family, community and society.

The state government has initiated various steps to contain the spread

of HIV and provides better care and support to those infected with HIV.

A state level committee has been formed with the chief minister as the

chairman, district leprosy officers (DLOs) were re-designated as

additional DM & HOs (AIDS & Leprosy), a campaign was launched to

de-stigmatise and popularise HIV testing. The APSACS has adopted a

multi-pronged approach namely STD care and counselling, condom

promotion, information, education and communication, blood safety,

voluntary counselling and testing centres, prevention of parent to child

transmission centres, youth, school, and college AIDS education

programmes, HIV/AIDS awareness for women and adolescent girls, training of

police, workplace interventions, training of medical and paramedical personnel,

care and support centres (CSC), networks for people living with HIV/AIDS,

antiretroviral treatment centres and 129 targeted intervention (TI) projects are

undertaken for high-risk groups, which is being implemented by CSOs.

To solve the problem, in addition to it, all government departments

should take active role in combating discrimination in the areas in

which they work. Ensure that children living with HIV/AIDS receive all

available medical care, including antiretroviral treatment, without

discrimination, and use all possible means to remove barriers to care.

Another area to be focussed is designing and implementation of workplace

polices.

It is also suggested that the government should make discrimination

against people living with HIV/AIDS illegal by enacting and enforcing

national legislation prohibiting discrimination against people living

with HIV/AIDS and their families in health facilities, schools, places

of employment, and enforce penalties for violations.

Source:

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Oct212008/panorama2008102096252.asp