I protest and condemn broadcasting the photograph of my children

[Guest guest]

I am a woman living with HIV.

This is my sharing of my hurt feelings over the issues of

confidentiality with regard to people living with HIV accessing

treatment in a care centre..

I don't understand how to protest for what was happened to me. A week

before a serious problem that I have faced because of YRG Care centre

irresponsibilility, even I couldn't come out from the shock.

On 3rd December I took my daughter to YRG care for consultation. The

YRG staff called my daughter for garlanding the actor Gere,

who had come to YRG care on Wednesday 3rd December 2003. Just for

garlanding I said no objection. YRG did not inform me about the Media

presence for the programme. I have seen the media and expressed my

unwillingness to take pictures of my daughter. YRG staff said they

would not show the faces of children, so I accepted and send my

daughter for garlanding the actor.

However, I was shocked to get a call from my colleague that my

children were shown on Vijay TV for about 3 minutes as AIDS infected

children to whom the actor will be providing /sponsoring funds.

I protest and condemn this taking photograph of my children when I

refused for such things.

I tried three times to contact Dr.Suniti to lodge my protest

but in vain till late night I could not get her and I have left my

phone no. to contact. But she has not responded at all. When

Ms.Kousalya and I had contacted YRG staff and Media, Vijay TV to stop

to re-telecasting the news again, TV reporter said they have not been

informed on not telecasting the scene of my children.

At last it was not retelecasted at 11.00-p.m. news which was done

after I spoke to the reporter. Next day I called up YRG to speak to

Suniti.I asked her about the mistake done by YRG but her reply was,

it was a mistake by TV reporter on telecasting the photos.

What can we do now, as it has already happened.

This is very serious when my children are shown like this and makes

me wonder how neighbours and friends at school will treat them.

" If my family gets into problem, who would be held responsible? YRG

would not be able to do anything, only we have to face it.

Dr.Suniti doesn' t confess her mistake, sorry it is not mistake it

should be called crime that she had done. "

And the staff of YRG also not sensitive, how they would be sensitive

even their director is not sensitive. I again re confirmed with the

reporter of Vijay TV on my daughters being portrayed as affected

children, she said they are not informed on avoiding that scene.

Why I am very aggressive with this incident is it should not happen

again and to any other PLWH/A.

I am expecting a response from, NGO's centres working for care and

support of PLWH/A's, doctors, Networks and funding agencies.

I think now everyone should be aware of that they should not use

PLWH/A and their children for their propagation, instead should

respect them as human being.

Ms.Padmaja

General Secretary

positive women of south india

E-mail: poswonet@...