Children and HIV/AIDS in Manipur

[Guest guest]

Children and HIV/AIDS in Manipur

Nawa Leikol, a forum advocating for Children and HIV/AIDS in

Manipur, has so far conducted altogether eight consultations. A

series of recommendation was made during the third consultation held

on the 16-17th September, sponsored by Manipur State AIDS Controls

Society organized by Dr. Alphina Memorial Foundation Society (AMFS)

a constituent member of the forum.

OVC * situation in Manipur. (* OVC- Orphan and highly vulnerable

children )

Presently it is difficult to tell the exact number of OVC in

Manipur. OVC has not received due attention, tough the number seems

to be exceedingly high. There has not been any substantive research

to find out what could be exact number in the State. Children affect

and infected with HIV/AIDS remains a neglected lot. No concrete plan

or efforts have yet been taken up. Under the MNP + Manipur, there

are presently 100 children OVC – receiving care and support. The

World Vision – Imphal is also running a vocational training for the

OVC related. During the present conducted, needs assessment and in-

depth interview, most of the medical officers have remarked that

there is an increasing number of OVC in all the hill districts. They

do come for treatment showing signs and symptoms, some of them do

not response to the TB treatment.

However this could only be confirmed with the test. The facilities

for testing are not available in the districts; they have to refer

them to Imphal. Most of the Parents and guardian also do not like to

disclose, therefore it remains difficult to cite the exact numbers.

In Ukhrul the District AIDS officer declared that out of the 33

children tested 5 were found to be positive. The needs assessment

also confirmed that most of them the children have other siblings

who are not recorded for care and treatment. Due to non availability

of medicines, or limited number of children selected for care and

support, the other siblings do not figure at all in the present

programme.

One of the MNP + district network's Chief functionary during the

interview, when asked to make a wild guess of exactly how many OVC

children could be there, responded saying that " I believe the

numbers of children with HIV/AIDS will be as much to that of Male

and female HIV/AIDS put together in the state " . It is certain that,

there is an increasing number. However the exact numbers can only be

determined once a quantitative research and systematic data is

collected. Children with HIV/AIDS remain a neglected lot. With the

prevailing situation of armed conflict in the state, frequent bandhs

and strikes it is a difficult task to carry out programme and

related activities.

There is a need for some projects to be promoted by the state to

find out the actual numbers so that care and support could be worked

out and implemented to prevent – Orphaning and also to mitigate the

pain and suffering faced by OVC. As per the outcome of this

innovative research we are aware of the increasing numbers and

present needs for OVC in the state.

We like to conclude that a scientific qualitative study or

situational analysis is urgently required to determine the actual

numbers and also a policy paper and guideline need to be developed

in the state to look into the whole issue of OVC.

An extensive research work was also taken up by Mr.Suraj Kumar

Arambam since the year 2003 on the topic of children affected and

afflicted with HIV/AIDS under the heading.. " A study on Children of

parentless and single parents who are affected/infected with

HIV/AIDS in relation to their health, Care & support and socio-

economic conditions in Imphal districts, Manipur. " The research made

the remark that " A crystal clear fact that can be arrived at from

the findings of the present study is that the lives of the children

of the HIV infected parents are found to be enveloped in a variety

but interconnected problems ranging from the economic deprivation,

through the poor health , care and nutrition, to the social

isolation.

It is not an exaggeration to say that there is a strong fear of

increasing spread of HIV/AIDS in the population of the state if

proper guidance is not given to the infected single parents, for

they belong to the most physically attractive and sexually

productive age group. Careful attention must be given in the

prevention of the disease through social vaccination as the cure of

the disease is beyond the knowledge of modern medical science. "

The latest epidemiology analysis of HIV/AIDS in Manipur , from Sept

1986 to June 2005 shows that sero- surveillance of Age groups from

0-10 years is 4.81 % ( 413 male and 323 female) and the age group

11-20 years as 6.80 % ( 816 male and 224 female) . This is about 11

% of the total, which is comparatively high. Some changes could be

made to give report of children ranging from 0-18 years so that a

more accurate picture of OVC could be made out in near future.

Participants in the 2 day workshop ( 16-17 th September )

The key note was presented by the Director of MSACS Dr. G.

Binodkumar Sharma. Others who spoke on the first day from the dias

included Dr. Ng Raghui, Deputy Director ( training) MSACS,

Dr.Thangpa Serto, TB Medical officer and Shri Abhiram of

PFI ,Imphal branch.

Paper presenters included : Ms. Udita Salam of the Nawa Leikol (

Garden of Children) a forum working for Children with HIV/AIDS ,

Ms.Archana Oinam, a fellow of Mac-Arthur foundation, who has a wide

experience of working in the field of widows and HIV/AIDS. Mr. Surja

Kumar Arambam of ISWAR, having conducted a research of parentless

children in Imphal districts. Mr. Debeshwar Akoijam of FXB, Manipur

Branch , Mr. Jhalajit Laitongjam of World Vision – Imphal ADP, Ms.

Shubhra Kingdang of Saved by Grace, Mr. Ng.Rattan of MNP+

Manipur and Leban Serto of Dr.Alphina Memorial Foundation Society .

Those who chaired the session included , Mr. Birendrajit of SASO,

Dr. Priyo Kumar , UNICEF Consultant and Ms. Annie Ms Annie of IWCDC,

chairperson of ICDS, Social welfare board Manipur, Other

participants were from Wide Angle, Care Foundation , Potter Clay

Healing Ministry, Youth Initiatives, SHALOM churachandpur, MLSS (

Meitei Leimarol Sinnai Sang), Senior journalist, Ibungo choubi,

Indira of FXB – Manipur branch,Elena Devi of CRS/ SASO, Ch Okendro a

Human rights student , Dr. L Ibemtombi Devi ( ex HOD RIMS-

Pediatric), Neikim Haokip and Awon Mungleng of UNMM, Ms. Binobala N

and Umarani of Social Welfare Dept, M Abhiram of PFI, Imphal ,

Vijendra L of NE fact files , R. K Robindro of DDK, Dr. Ng Raghui ,

Deputy Director MSACS and others.

The recommendations are as follows:

This recommendation is the outcome of the two day, paper

presentations and discussion of various individuals and

organizations both NGOs and Govt official who have worked in the

field of Children and HIV/AIDS . After the issue had been

deliberated and discussed among participants some recommendations

were incorporated for intervention into the issue of children with

HIV/AIDS. It was largely felt that emerging needs for the OVC are

educational support, vocational institute, health care facility,

counseling center, better communication and economic support,

training and research center. Integration of programme with social

welfare was also identified as one of the urgent needs especially

for children with HIV/AIDS.

However due to lack of such a mechanism it was also suggested that

all those working in areas of Children and HIV/AIDS to look for

networks and develop alliance in most productive and humane manner

in the existing alternatives until there is a policy and legislation

in place for Children with HIV/AIDS in the state of Manipur.

The recommendations are given under various headings as:

Psychological needs:

• To create a child friendly environment taking into

consideration children affected and afflicted with HIV/AIDS.

• Socio-psycho emotional support is a must for the OVC.(

Orphan and other highly vulnerable children).Promoting counseling

cells is urgently felt , this can be done by State Govt, FBO's,

NGO's and the Social Welfare Dept.

Socio economic needs:

• Support community based intervention programme. Increase the

capacity of communities through training, workshops to handle the

issue of children with HIV/AIDS. Encourage the SHGs , micro-credit

programme for Care-givers, extended families and those supporting

children and orphan with HIV/AIDS.

Educational needs

• To do advocacy in the education department. Especially for the needs of

children.

• Scaling up the prevention of HIV/AIDS among youths and especially in schools

children.

• Involve schools in awareness and sensitization programme.

• Student bodies can help in lobbying for policy and awareness.

• Reducing fees for lower income groups especially for children affected and

afflicted with HIV/AIDS

• Teaching about human rights awareness.

Nutritional needs:

• To develop integration of the nutritional needs with the social welfare and

other funding agencies, create a special provision for children in poverty for

HIV/AIDS victims.

• Innovate and increase food nutrition programme for OVC.

Issue of Conflict

• The prevailing situation is the obstacles for doing programme or work. (Bandh

and armed conflict. An in-depth study is required to understand the conflict

situation and how organization, NGOS can work in such a situation.

• Develop a mechanism for NGO's to work in area of conflict situation.

• Prepare and intervene in the most needed areas irrespective of any conflict

situation especially for children.

Policy Review

• To review the MSACS policy and focus more on women and children affected and

afflicted by HIV/AIDS. Presently the word child is mentioned only once at Point

9. ( page 6)Policy on STD and

Reproductive Health. 9.4 as. Reproductive health/Maternity and Child

Health and STD will be given special thrust to make the programme

women sensitive.

• To introduce projects in the interior hilly regions of the state across

Manipur.

• To include the child policy, especially for children and HIV/AIDS , in the

manifesto's of political parties in the State

Medication needs

• ART Started on 2004 April, it's more than a year now. Till

now we can't have syrup for the children. This is something we need

to reflect on it. Request syrup for children .

• Giving wrong dose of medicine to the children is a crime. When we come to

children we need handle them with extra care. Especially the OVC. How to give

dose to children need special emphasis.

• Develop a mobile mechanism for health care delivery system for children

affected and afflicted with HIV/AIDS

• Mobile health delivery systems are developed for the hilly region in the

state.

Rights/ Others (Advocacy, linkage, etc):

• Children should not be used for mobilizing fund, (like

using of pictures without consent ) and use of children in begging.

• Increase developing IEC materials on treatment and for OVC understanding

• To take care is use of terminology. (Especially when addressing the persons

affected with HIV/AIDS) especially among children. Teaching them about HIV/AIDS.

• Need to present case studies, as this can bring new dimensions to the emerging

issues.

• Link up/networking with international agencies like the Red Cross Society and

others working in this related field.

• Not to dramatized/threat perception for HIV/AIDS people. Not

to give scaring pictures and cartoons when presenting sensitizing

messages.

• The question of how to prevent commercial sex workers from HIV/AIDS.

• Stigma and discrimination are faced everywhere. We must educate the general

population in use of language and friendly terminologies. Need to make a more

friendly environment

• To increase the involvement of media consultation from time to time. Active

media intervention.

• We need serious follow up. Maybe the organizers or the forum can look into

this . For follow up and advocacy work.

• Everyone working for HIV/AIDS should raise their voice for the cause and for

the right of the positive people. Pertinent for

children.

Mother and child:

• Separate fund for HIV/AIDS women and children. At the same time encourage

separate cell and funding also for Children

• HIV/AIDS affected and afflicted women and children are the

most neglected areas.

• More trainings required to handle issue of children with HIV/AIDS.

Research

• To have proper documentation in place and find the accurate

data especially for children. This will enhance efficiency of

advocacy and project implementations. To request Nodal agency of the

state like MSACS to conduct situational analysis, in all the

district and the state as a whole to understand and get accurate

data of children affected and afflicted with HIV/AIDS in the state.

• To invite experts in the field of children and HIV/AIDS ,

seek partnership and alliances.

• Strengthening the existing health care centers. To provide

better health care services especially pertaining to women and

children.

• To fulfill the aims and objectives as laid down in the State

Plan of Action for children ( 1996). To also introduce another

State Plan of Action for Children at the earliest and incorporate

the needs of Children with HIV/AIDS.

The entire reports, with papers presented and video recording is

available on the CD form. To order copy you can call up 9436034426

or email at lebanserto@...

N. B The forum had put up a write up in local language and a draft

for inclusion in the State AIDS Policy, as and when a review is

taking place. There will be another consultation on the 19th

November, 2005 at the Social Welfare Department, Govt of Manipur.

For more information you can write at:

Leban Serto

Nawa Leikol (Member)

Contact address:

Dr. Alphina Memorial Foundation Society

Shalom-Inn

P.O Lamlong-795010, Manipur, India

Email: lse009@...

Mobile no : 9436034426