HIV-infected individuals in Kanchanpur report persistent social neglect

Kanchanpur: Dhana (name changed), 27, of Bedkot Municipality-5, has been taking regular medication since her HIV infection was confirmed two years ago. However, she shared the distress of facing daily scorn from society. Speaking at an interaction program on HIV/AIDS organized by the Health Office Kanchanpur on Monday, she said that living a normal life has become increasingly difficult as neighbors treat her with contempt.

Due to her weak financial condition, there is no running water tap at her home. She complained that the behavior of being avoided and ignored when she visits neighbors to fetch water has added to her mental stress. She and her husband were diagnosed with HIV two years ago, and after their three-year-old son was also confirmed infected, all three have been on regular medication. She expressed the emotional burden of having attempted suicide two or three times due to social stigma, yet continued living for the future of her children.

Rama (name changed), 38, of Bhimdatta Municipality-15, has been on ART for two decades and is now providing awareness and support to HIV-infected individuals through various groups. In an interaction on Sunday, she said that society’s perception of HIV-positive people still has not changed. According to her, women face more discrimination than men.

So far, 682 people have been confirmed HIV-positive in Kanchanpur, with 455 currently under regular treatment, according to the Health Office. Among those receiving treatment, 226 are women, 202 men, 20 are children under 15, and 7 belong to sexual minorities. The government has been providing Rs. 1,000 per month to HIV-infected children under 18 for education, health, nutrition and livelihood support.

In the fiscal year 2081–82, 14 people died due to HIV. According to Narendra Singh Rawal, head of the Health Office, 14–15 deaths occur annually.

Chief guest of the program and head of the District Coordination Committee, Durga Dutta Bohora, said that sexual intercourse is a natural matter and sexual relations between husband and wife should not be viewed as unsafe. He emphasized the importance of fidelity between couples and said that awareness is necessary as incidents of illicit sexual relations have increased in recent times.

(Source: Gorkhapatra)