Re: All is lost, but all is not lost'

[Guest guest]

All will be well

By: K.Basanta Kumar, Imphal

In response to the article `All is lost, but all is not lost' posted on Tehelka

(www.tehelka.com), 15th July 2005.

I as a member of the civil society working in the field of HIV would like to put

forward these points to substantiate the report of women issues in Manipur.

The article in itself gave an overall scenario of the whole state but it seems

to be focused on a very few and limited areas. It would have been much

appreciated if the author would have more extensive sources & data. There is no

dearth of organizations intervening in the HIV/AIDS program of widows and among

them many have in their own ways responded in an effective manner.

The author could have thrown more light on the scenario of the whole issues if

there had been little more extensive interaction if not a survey within the

service provider sections rather than taking into accounts views & statements of

limited services in HIV programs. We cannot deny the fact that the epidemic of

HIV in Manipur is fuelled y

injecting drug use and it is still true with the changes in trend and pattern of

drug use from pure heroin to non injectable pharmaceutical drug viz. Spasmo

Proxyvon (SP).

As a matter of fact SP users had overtaken heroin users because of heroin

scarcity in the town. NGOs who are implementing targeted intervention have

evidence based data for IDU (both male & female) and other populations as well.

Many Community Based Organization (CBOs) like Social Awareness service

Organization (SASO), Manipur Network of Positive Plus, Care Foundation have been

progressively working for the widows through establishing SHG forums, building

their capacity in various areas and providing necessary supports as a result

stigma and

discrimination within their family/ community have tremendously reduced which is

backed by the evidence based video documentary `We shall overcome' of Social

Awareness Service Organization (SASO), MNP+ etc.

SASO is one CBO providing outreach services for female IDUs including sexual

health promotion. On the contrary networking and referral for women including

children for their need full services is still a major gap especially among

service providers of CBOs and other NGOs in the state.

Regarding the statement of MACS claiming that the prevalence rate of HIV among

IDUs had reduced to 21 % from around 72% is still a questionable as to whether

sentinel surveillance undertaken by MACS was proper and adequate in terms of

area coverage, subjects identification, quality control in the laboratory,

monitoring & evaluation process? or is it due to the dead of HIV infected IDUs

or

lack of capacity within the study team.

At this juncture it would be wise not to ignore the issues of IDUs irrespective

of the epidemic focusing on to the general population while developing policy

program or intervention strategies.

At the same time we valued PPTCT program because it has been implementing since

2000-2001 in Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital who have already been recognized as one

of the center of excellence but interestingly according to the responses made

during my recent interview with the PPTCT staff in JNH it was found out that

none of them received guidelines for PPTCT, community outreach is nil, capacity

of the counselor needs updating as ARV & ART related matters

comes in and MIS needs strengthening which are some of the major loophole in

PPTCT program.

Therefore it is strongly suggested that before implementing PPTCT program in the

state there should have been a wide range of consultation for a long term

service delivery. Consistent political commitment and advises of the program

managers to the government

should be realistic in spite of all odds.

Lastly I would like to suggest that terminologies like dreaded virus and addict

etc. would keep farther distance with the subjects while reporting sensitive

issues related to HIV rather we should have friendly attitude and encourage

congenial environment to reduce stigma & discrimination attached to them if we

intended to work.

" Kshetrimayum Basanta "

E-mail: <k_basanta@...>