My experience at Government ART Centre in Hospital in Bangalore.

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

I am a 46 year old woman from Bangalore. I came to an NGO in 2008 after having

tested +ve for HIV at a private hospital. When I came here, I was extremely weak

as I had lost a lot of weight. At the NGO, the counsellors were able to handle

my problems and clarify all my concerns about being HIV+ve.

The only other person in my family who knows this is my husband. He is HIV-ve

and initially I was quite worried that he would disown me.

I have in the past taken 3 bottles of blood after undergoing a hysterectomy. The

counsellors successfully explained to my husband that this could have been the

mode of infection for me and to my joy he began to understand my plight.

By this time, I had already lost a lot of weight and was finding it difficult to

carry on with my daily chores. I had infact lost more than 10 kgs in just 2

months and was having fever on and off. At this NGO, my CD-4 count was done and

since it was just 259 cells, they advised me to start HAART.

I wanted to take it under their doctor’s supervision as I had developed

confidence in them. However they did tell me that it is better to go to the

government ART unit as it would be beneficial for me.

I said I would prefer to take it for a few months and then shift to which they

agreed. I was started on HAART, and I have been regular with it. I had a lot of

difficulty in the initial few days…but slowly I started improving.. I have put

on weight and am more confident with myself.

The counsellor at the NGO once again advised me to go to the government hospital

and gave me a reference letter to Hospital in Bangalore. When I went

there, the doctor looked at my reports and told me that I should not take HAART

since my CD-4 was 259 and not less than 200. They then did my CD-4 count. It was

500 cells.

They said that I should not take the medicines anymore, stop the medicines and

come back when the CD-4 is 200.

I was upset and came back to the NGO and in-fact questioned my counsellors as to

why they told me to take HAART and whether I should now stop it.

They then reminded me about the condition I was in before I took HAART and how I

had been improving after taking the medicines.

Luckily I decided to come back to this NGO. Otherwise I would have just stopped

my medicines.

I don’t think what the doctors told me at the government hospital is right.

They should be trained better.

Firdaus (not willing to give my actual name as the doctors may hold it against

me)

Member of Margadarshini Peer support group

e-mail: <margadarshini@...>