Re: Maduri - School kids testing HIV+

[Guest guest]

It does give a jolt when you read that school children are tesing positive -

people would wonder what do children do at school; study or have party time? The

next thing is why was the test administered on the children? Did they show any

signs which would raise doubts about the infection? Did the medical authorities

and the school have a discussion with the children or their parents as many are

minors? One can't just do waht one feels especially in the society where HIV is

a stigma as good as a death warrant.

Where did all the sensibilities of the so called educationist at the school go?

Not just them what about the insensitivity of the medical fraternity?

This just goes to prove that the medical fraternity really needs education and

sensitization more than anyone else on the issue of HIV/AIDS. One step further

the media did the rest, it makes real spicy reporting on the subject and a talk

for days with the public.

Everyone will talk against the system, who was responsible for this, but no one

will start to think how do we stop such things from happening.

Lets all start to do our job and take on our responsibility to prevent such

irresponsible things from happening. I hope the school and the medical system

which has been responsible for this now takes care of the students and the

families who would be hounded by society - their society where they are

stakeholders.

I would wait to see what happens next? I sometimes feel that I believe

that till one experiences what it is to feel pain discrimination etc -

due to someones irresponsible actions one will not learn what it is

and stop from taking such action.

Sandhya Bhalla

E-mail: <Sandhya.bhalla@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear forum members,

It seems like kids in schools are being healthy when they indulge their

curiosity about sex. Yes, in that sense it is party time!!! I do believe

that adolescent sexual experiences are necessary to have a good adult sex

life sans inhibitions. Experience in sex can give people the power to say

" no " or express what they would like in stead (of course this empowerment

is gender specific). Some of my friends who were prohibited from even knowing

about sex growing up have had anal sex without a condom because they were

distracted and didn't know how to effectively say " no anal sex was with

protection. "

The only thing we need to focus on is how we can increase acceptability of

condoms in teenagers and not wonder why they are having sex in the first

place.

Of course it goes without saying that testing should be entirely

consensual. But the issue of consent is so strange and complex with teenagers.

Some folks think that children under 18 are in no position to make decisions

about their health including taking an HIV test. In which case parents or

school authorities decide what is best for these kids. On the other hand,

if tests do not remain confidential and consensual, it is likely kids won't

come in to get tested It is so important to treat kids with respect and

allow them to make their own decisions without involving parents or other

elders in positions of authority.

Malati

Harlem Hospital Center NY

E-mail: <mgadgilhats@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

This message about school kids is a false message I

heard {authenticated source}. There has been no

reported incidences like that.

While counseling and making decesions about testing or

treatment any child under 18years, one should have

the parental consent atleast one parent. Because it

may lead to lot of problems such as sucied, runaway,

inadequate treatment because they have no earnings,

may go to quacks for lack of informations etc; Only

when both parents are dead, the guardian can take

charge of such a situation. A gaurdian may be a close

relative if none available may be a teacher but this

has to be decided on situation basis.

What was worst about the report was saying that

children are being " watched carefully without their

knowledge " . Even though this message is wrong such an

immature way of handling should not be encouraged. It

hurts the feeling of children. We must get feed back

from children of what they feel about this news. We

have been working with children since 10years. Some

children have turned up with parents for counseling.It

is the way you handle that gives them confidence to

share.

Dr.Manorama

E-mail: <pmanorama@...>