The Hindu : HIV-infected women turn counsellors

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 08, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Dindigul

HIV-infected women turn counsellors

By Our Staff Reporter

DINDIGUL, FEB. 7. With a sharp increase in the number of HIV-infected persons in this district, the Department of Health in association with NGOs and private hospitals, has not only intensified an awareness campaign among all sections, particularly in sensitive areas, but also brought them under one umbrella for treatment and removal of the social stigma.

A group of committed HIV-infected women, who turned social workers, has started creating an awareness among truck drivers not only of AIDS but also of propagating the use of condoms that ensured safe sex. They have interacted with the drivers during night time and taught them on the use of condoms.

These women go to lorry halting points, vulcanising centres, depots near by pass roads of State and National Highways and petrol filling stations where lorry drivers congregated in large numbers, to intensify the campaign. It was well received by the drivers.

These women were also engaged in identifying patients in remote villages and distributing medicine.

When contacted, S. Suganthi of Palani taluk said our prime aim was to prevent spread of AIDS. Social neglect and lack of support from families had tempted most of us to commit suicide. After taking up this mission, I changed my mindset.

K. Kannagi said initially, drivers were reluctant to interact with us. But periodical counselling and exposure of our critical condition of health helped us gain affinity with them.

Drivers saw our condition and followed guidelines without any protest, said Padma, another activist.

The team has been trying to rope in more-infected women to expand their network. Their main aim was to convert each HIV patient into a social worker and enable them to lead a peaceful life.

None of these women, mostly aged around 26 years, were sex workers but were infected through their husbands, mostly mill workers or migratory labourers.

Mother Sarada Devi Social Service Society, secretary, M. Prasanna, said she identified them during prevent care and support programme for HIV patients. After the death of their husbands, these women joined the society and started campaigning against AIDS since 1997. Besides preventive care, they received emoluments for their service.

The society, in association with district administration and health department, started a federation of HIV patients in Dindigul town for preventive care and sustainable economic development. She said a survey conducted by the society had identified Gujiliamparai, Vadamadurai, Vedasanthur, Sempatti, Natham, Palani and Oddancahtram as sensitive areas.

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