Although there is no dearth of awareness campaigns and discussions on people living with HIV
in the country, there is practically no concern about the challenges faced by children affected by the disease.
Millions under the age of 15 years are ignored and unacknowledged in this deadly disease.
Demands of the infected kids
Better access to medical treatment, good nutrition and a right to pursue education are some of the demands aired by the infected kids at a public hearing on ‘Child Rights - Issues and Entitlements of the Orphan and Vulnerable Children affected by HIV/AIDS’ on Friday.
Such kids made vulnerable by the disease may be in need of support and care. This may involve providing food, clothing, help with looking after siblings or sick family members and also pursuing education.
Shantha Sinha, chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), stated, "A comprehensive nutrition program is needed. Continuation of education is a problem for most because of social stigma."
Right to property and healthcare
Another major hurdle encountered by these kids was the right to property. Children living with HIV have unstable homes. Sometimes they have lost one or both parents to the ailment, increasing poverty in their household.
Orphans can also be shuttled between relatives struggling to stretch limited resources. There are instances of children being thrown out homes and siblings shunning them.
Dr Shanta Sinha stated, “Affected children are a much alienated lot. They do not even have a house to live in”.
Proper healthcare is another important service that children adversely affected by HIV need. The infected children have weak immune systems and are more prone to infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia and do not respond as well to treatment.
There is need for a comprehensive child health policy and the national commission is thinking gravely on those lines.
Need for measures to alleviate suffering
It is quite obvious that a lot needs to be done for the children scarred by AIDS. Although the political leaders and decision-makers have the tools to save children from needless suffering, not much is being done.
There is no plan by the state for kids infected by the disease. Though guidelines are available on how to handle such cases these are not yet operational on ground and neither has the HIV Bill been passed.
Nina P Naik, chairperson, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said if a child is orphaned the ration card for the family is canceled and they are not considered to be below the poverty line.
"HIV positive women with a son over 18 years no longer get a widow pension. There is also a movement nationwide to include HIV positive people under the disability pension scheme," she added.
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