Links between HIV and mental illness overlooked

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

During some of our institutional visits we observed that many service

providers in the health sector come across mentally challenged patients who are

suffering from some preventable diseases esp. STI and other infectious diseases.

They are usually not provided comprehensive care and often turned

out due to complicity of the issue on hand. Tackling patients with mental

disorders is a challenging task which often drains ones resources both mental

and physical, thereby further complicating the issue since there are a very few

places where these people in need can go to.

When we are talking of women in particular, it has been found that they are most

often subjected to exploitation in various forms, thereby exposing them more to

the dangers of communicable diseases. I wonder what is happening in all such

institutions which deal with mentally challenged persons in India.

Institutional areas which create long term confinements such as remand

homes, care homes, rehabilitation centres, women care centres, child care

centres, rehabilitation clinics/ homes, institutions housing people who have

gone against the law of the land etc. etc.

One would also like to think of the percentages of HIV+ves who are referred to/

or require long term mental rehabilitation. Is there any available data?

If there are any relevant studies or experiences available which deals with HIV

and mental illness we would like you to kindly share it with us.

Best regards,

Alok

Dr. Alok Lodh

National Coordinator Public Health, MAA, Chief Operations &

Zonal Office (East), Sinha House, Bankers Colony, Kayastha tola, PO: MIC Bela,

Sherpur, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India, Pin: 842005,

Per. email: draloklodh@..., Mobile: 0-9931404833

e-mail: maa@...]