Advocacy for a PLWHA in Mumbai

August 5, 2003

Dear FORUM,

In the process of making a documentary video on the HIV-AIDS issue, I

have met a lot of people in Mumbai - doctors, patients and the

relatives affected by the virus. A couple of days back, I came across

a case of a lady from Colaba in Mumbai whose husband had died of an

AIDS related illness. The story was told to me by the lady's brother

and by Dr. Girish Trivedi,(drgirishtrivedi@...) a doctor who

has treated the lady.

Apparently, the husband and his family did not disclose the HIV

positive status of the deceased during his marriage to the lady in

1993. They lady came to know about it only after his death.

Subsequently, she too was tested and was found to be HIV positive.

Recently her health worsened and she was admitted to a hospital by

her in laws. The in-laws, I believe, do not want to take back the

lady to Colaba - the reason given is that the housing society is

objecting to her return. The lady thereby cannot meet her two

children staying in Colaba aging six and seven years. The children

have also been tested HIV positive. The lady who is now under the

care of her brother in Malad in Mumbai, wants to go back to Colaba

and be with her children. There is a lot of bitterness that has

creped in, not to speak about the deteriorating condition of the lady

and the question of the economics of treating an AIDS patient.

Without sensationalizing the issue, I have a request to make. Can any

Mumbai based NGOs working on the HIV-AIDS issue or any women's

organization do something about it?

Anyone interested in being a support can call up Dr. Girish at

9821081138, check out the facts for themselves and proceed

ccordingly. It would do well for the cause of those affected by HIV-

AIDS to have a compassionate view on all matters concerned, without

going into an figure pointing exercise.

Ignorance breeds discrimination. There is an urgent need for all of

us to get into the " mission mode " (as our honorable President would

say) to counter this ignorance.

regards

Ramchandra, Mumbai

E-mail: sonk@...

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