BAGLUNG: Nineteen children have been found to be infected with HIV in Baglung. Of the 215 infected individuals identified in the district and currently taking regular medication, 19 are children.
A woman from Baglung Municipality, who has been living with HIV and taking medication for about 15 years, says society’s attitude toward infected people has not changed. She said that although she wants to live openly, society looks down on her family, and she fears being exposed as an infected person.
“I became infected, but my family is healthy. My daughter is pursuing higher education, and my family is like any other. But once people found out that I am infected, my family felt ostracized by society, looked down upon at school, and subjected to various forms of stigma,” she said. “It is difficult to live like other citizens after being infected. If I come out, everyone will say my family is the family of an infected person.”
Infected children have also complained to their families about discrimination at school. Although the number of infections in Baglung has been increasing recently, very few infected individuals have come out openly. However, more people are now getting tested, taking medication after diagnosis, and staying in contact with HIV/AIDS services.
Health workers say that although more HIV/AIDS-infected individuals in Baglung are coming into contact with health services, they still do not want to disclose their status publicly. The ART Center, established in 2063 BS at Dhaulagiri Provincial Hospital, identifies HIV/AIDS cases, provides counseling and testing, and offers regular treatment. Because of the center’s confidentiality, infected people have increasingly begun seeking its services.
According to Health Office statistics, 215 infected people, including 19 children, are taking regular medication in Baglung. Health Office Chief Pravin Sharma said that 10 infected individuals were added in the last fiscal year, and seven more have been added in the current fiscal year. Many infected people say they have not been able to come forward due to social discrimination.
Sharma said they are being provided medication and counseling confidentially. Dev Prakash Ghimire, Public Health Inspector at the Health Office, reported that the number of infected individuals is increasing as the scope of testing and counseling expands.
Pradeep Acharya, chief consultant at the ART Center run by Dhaulagiri Provincial Hospital, said the number of infected individuals has been rising as the ART Center has reached HIV/AIDS-affected villages, collected samples, and provided treatment and counseling discreetly, with the aim of helping HIV-infected people live like others.
With support from HIV/AIDS-related NGOs, the center has been providing a range of services and facilities to infected individuals, including proper counseling, regular medication, travel expenses, and nutritional support.
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