Re: Benson and Bency Kerala's HIV_the FACT

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Dear FORUM,

Re: /message/7075

Enquiry Report of Kerala SACS of Benson & Bency

" As of now a total of Rs.2,45000/- has been allotted and Rs.2,17,078/- expended.

Balance Rs.27,922/- is with DMO, Kollam. "

Visited the home of Bency & Benson at Kaithakuzhy, Chathannoor, Kollam District

on 21-03-2007 at 08.30 A.M. reporting the following points for your kind

information

Bency – 12 Year, Benson – 10 Years now studying in Kaithakuzhy Government UP

School. Their father Sri C K Chandy died in 1997, mother Smt. Chandy

(Princy) died in 2000 and grandfather Sri.Geevarghese y died on 11-01-2005.

Now the children are under the care of their grandmother Smt. Salamma , who

is the only caretaker of these children at present. She is suffering from

visual impairment.

Smt.Salamma is getting family pension of Rs.1,500/- per month. They are

also getting another Rs.1,500/- per month in the way of interest of the amount

credited in SBT, Chathanoor. Ex MLA is also sending Rs.500/- per month from

October 2005 as a supporting fund.

Care and Support from Government, KSACS

As per the instruction of the then Central Health Minister, Hindustan Latex

Limited is allotting Rs.30,000/- in every 6 months, from February 2004 onwards

through KSACS, and DMO, Kollam is devolving the funds. As of now a total of

Rs.2,45000/- has been allotted and Rs.2,17,078/- expended. Balance Rs.27,922/-

is with DMO, Kollam.

The fund is used for

1) Purchase of Medicines, Tonics etc. (When not available from Government

Pharmacy)

2) Provision of Milk, Egg, Ghee, Horlicks/Boost etc.

3) Diesel charges of the Government Vehicle for the transportation of Children

to PH Lab, SAT, ART at Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum

4) Transportation charges in the case of emergencies to Hospitals.

Medical Officer, Jr Health Inspector and other staff of P H Centre Adichanalloor

assigned with the responsibility of the Care and Support related their health,

treatment, medicines, nutrition etc. DMO, Kollam is supervising all the

activities as per the instructions of KSACS. Medicines are provided from ART

Center, Trivandrum as per the regime.

Support from the St Church, Kaithakuzhy

1) Transportation of the children to the school in Autorickshaw purchased by the

Women’s Wing, St Church. (As per the request of DMO, Kollam)

2)Stationery items like Rice, Sugar, Tea, etc. as per the list of the

grandmother.

3)Religious support, counseling, study in Sunday school etc.

A church committee also formed with Mr Raju , Vicar of the St

Church, Kaithkuzhy for extending all sorts of ground support to them.

We also had a discussion with the Vicar Fr Raju about the complaint of

the grandmother that the vicar and the middlemen are evading financial aids to

these children from other sources. The Vicar presented a detailed account of

the amount received and expended in this connection and were found to be

convincing.

At present the general health of the children is satisfactory as per the Lab

checkup reports and Doctor’s report. Health services staff also providing

satisfactory service.

Problems they are facing and Requirements.

1)Shortage of fund for their day to day expenses like Electricity, Telephone

Charges, Dress, Food, Tuition etc.

2) Pravur SNV Co-operative Bank, Kollam has send a ‘Japthi Notice’ for remitting

Rs.90,000/- (Principal + interest) of a loan availed in 2004. Now they are

helpless in the repayment.

3) Due to the court decision regarding the assignment of Guardianship to the

grandmother, court credited the amount Rs.1,00,000/- for 10 years. Only

Rs.750/- per month being the interest of the Deposit is enjoyed by them.

4) Due to the ageing and other health problems faced by the grandmother, they

actually require a Home Nurse/Servant.

Media can create problems, they do not want solutions

Please note that, about 5000 Similar Childrens in Kerala and face lot of

problems. We have to develop a good mechanism to overcome this.

Regards

Ajith Kumar M

Finance Officer

Kerala State Aids Control Society

009447168748

e-mail: <ajith_karamana@...>