The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : It’s a tough life for HIV positives

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Monday, May 26, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

It’s a tough life for HIV positives

HYDERABAD: HIV/AIDS patients/positive persons across the State continue to be discriminated against and shunned by society, notwithstanding the high-profile publicity given by government agencies like the AP State AIDS Control Society.

The gloomy scenario was projected by Swapna, president, Network of HIV Positives, at a symposium on ‘HIV/AIDS Bills - a necessity’ organised by the Hyderabad Hub here on Saturday. Swapna, who found eight years ago that she was HIV positive, said she had a son who fortunately was not positive. “I am not taking any drugs and want to live for at least 25 years.” She was lucky to enjoy family support and timely information on prevention. “We in the network have taken a pledge that HIV virus should end with us. The members want to live and ensure that others live, by not allowing the infection to spread,” she said. She lamented that HIV positives were discriminated at lower levels, work places, even among students in schools. Widows unable to get the benefit of government schemes, like pensions, were migrating. Banks were either denying loans to such women or asking for security. “Some of them are even hesitant to reveal their status.”

Swapna said she viewed political support as panacea for the hardship facing people like her, besides the backing of community and the benefit of awareness in society.

A member of the community from Chittoor, Sumitra, explained that children of HIV positives were not being allowed to play with others. They were shunned by society in general, forcing the families to migrate.

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Andhra Pradesh