Public hearing details needs of children living with HIV/AIDS

[Guest guest]

Public hearing details needs of children living with HIV/AIDS

 

IMPHAL, Sep 4: A public hearing was held at GM hall today to highlight the

issues and challenges faced by children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in

Manipur organized by the Manipur Network of Positive People in collaboration

with other NGO partners and supported by the Department of Social Welfare,

Manipur and the Manipur State AIDS Control Society.

Giving the key note address, Sharat Sharma (Deputy Director, Social Welfare)

said that there are an estimated number of 3000 children infected and affected

by HIV/AIDS till April 2008. He further added, “Despite the unstinting efforts

being rendered by different NGOs and other donor agencies, there is a drastic

need to look at addressing issues of educational and nutritional support systems

and programs. Service providers on their part are in need of updating their

capacity and skills on rendering comprehensive care for these children.

Saying that the hearing was being organized to highlight the impact of HIV on

women and children before the Commission, L. Deepak President of MNP+ said, “

We are hopeful that necessary steps can be taken up to address the gaps that we

find now in terms of the total lack of support systems. Children living with HIV

or who are affected indirectly by it continue to be overlooked in program

designing as most services remain focused only on giving ART to them while the

reality of giving them emotional support and treatment adherence in a language

they understand and can accept is still missing.

The testimonies were emotional outbursts highlighting the acute needs that women

as mother face while they themselves are HIV positive and trying to overcome

their own vulnerabilities besides having to fend for their children as well.

Nonie (name changed) a 24-year old shared her story of a very early marriage to

a man who she later found to be drug user. “I never knew that he died of HIV

but after my own repeated illnesses and hearing about how HIV is transmitted I

wanted to get a HIV test for myself and my son.†Confirmed HIV positive

results for both Nonie and her son meant being treated differently by her

parents in law.

They had been talking of giving a share of the property to my son but they

treated us so badly that we could not continue staying there anymore and I came

back with my son to my parents home.

Highlighting the state of ignorance and discrimination against HIV positive

people, Sunila said that though both her children were not infected with HIV,

they continued to be labelled as HIV positive with their friends shunning them.

“They have emotional issues while I am still grappling over maintaining my own

health and trying to give a better life to them.

Many more mothers spoke at length on the existing gaps that led to children

living with HIV being unable to attend schools and not able to achieve even the

minimum levels of nutrition. They miss school because they have to stay at home

caring for us. Later on, we stop them altogether from going to school as there

is not enough money to cover the costs of the repeated illnesses in the family,

maintain other household expenses and then keep up the costs for their education

ass well, said a mother echoing similar cries for help and support.

Later, Dr. Shantha Sinha, Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection

of Child Rights (NCCPCR) lauded the women who shared their personal stories and

appreciated the many NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS. “What is needed

now is a partnership between NGOs, Government agencies and related authorities

to address the gaps that have been highlighted,†she said. Saying that

suggestions are welcome to try and work out ways for the situation faced by

children in terms of HIV, she said, There is an urgent need to work towards

improving the health and nutrition aspects of children living with HIV today

Ratan Singh

e-mail: <ratanng@...>