AIDS Gravest Hit To Women And Children

Dikshya Rimal

With this beauty Contest event I feel there is positive change in society's perception towards HIV infected people, but still rehabilitation and treatment support has become big challenge. (24- year-old Dikshya Rimal)

By Citizen Correspondent Manish Gautam , Kathamndu

Date Posted: 08/07/06

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Neelam, a year old baby was infected with HIV while she was on her mother's womb and now her parents have died of AIDS. Neelam's mother was housewife who contracted HIV from her husband. Similarly, one and half years old Sara also infected with HIV while at her birth. Sara's parents too have been died of AIDS.

These two girls have now been residing in Maiti Nepal's rehab center. These two small girls walk bit by bit and make peeping sound, seems their life is going as other normal kids. When they will able to understand themselves, in what situation will they find themselves? This question has linked with child psychology that has not any set on answers.

Since last one and half year Juna (name changed), a 7-year-old girl also dwells in Maiti Nepal. These days she has not gone to school because she fell down and has cuts on her forefront. Her 9 years old sister has gone to school. When Juna is not been school she plays with Neelam and Sara. Juna and her sister both have HIV contracted from their parents. With bright face but feels shy to speak, Juna has never heard the words about HIV and AIDS, but these days she has been taking ART drugs to prolong her life.

Gokrna is located at northeast side of Kathmandu, 10 km in distance from city center, where Maiti Nepal has run hospice for such children since last year. Here, from the age of several months' up to 12 years old 23 children have been residing. Of them 13 are taking ARV drugs.They have security of food, lodge and the quality education but at the same time family fragmentation caused by AIDS have been following them till their life.

Kabita (name changed), a 10 years old girl child also does not know what HIV/AIDS is, but she has been suffering severe mental torture because of AIDS. Her father while working in India infected with HIV due to unprotected sex with Female Sex Workers, which has transmitted to her mother and then to Kabita.