The number of people infected with HIV has increased sharply since the reporting of first case of HIV/AIDS in Nepal in 1988. HIV is now a ‘concentrated epidemic’ with a prevalence rate of over 5 percent within some vulnerable groups like injecting drug users and female sex workers. In 1995, a sero-prevalence study reports the existence of 74000 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in Nepal. Rupandehi is considered as one of the hish-risk area in terms of the HIV infecting owing to the increased number of people migrating abroad for lucrative employment, its open border with India to the South, entry and exit point of trafficking of girls and high presence of sex workers in the high ways of the district. Some people suggest that the reported number of PLHA may be like just a tip of the iceberg. There is an estimate of having 150-200 thousand PLHA.
In the context of Nepal, to be diagnosed with HIV does not only mean to live with a virus, but to face extreme social stigma and discrimination. Due to ignorance, fear of discrimination and social disgrace, our members still like to be isolated and eventually end up life without seeking health services. They lack self-esteem and self-confidence and embrace the death due to lack of needful support. In Rupandehi, out of 71 known HIV positives, 13 PLHA died in 2005 alone, many more may have died without knowing so far.
The government and donor agencies make tall promises and generate attractive projects so as to show off their role. A number of projects are designed and accomplished in the name of the PLHA so far. PLHA, especially those from the remote and rural areas, have not even got the benefit of a penny. The organizations are pocketing all the benefits while PLHA are dying at the same time.
In order to support with basic needs of PLHA and develop self-supporting systems among PLHA, Asha Jyoti Sahayog Samaj (AJSS) was formed and registered in August 2006 by People Living with HIV/AIDS in Rupandehi, a district in Western Region of Nepal. It has now 70 members from the district and has undertaken several services like nutrition, self-care and primary health care as well as the training and orientation against violence, stigma and discrimination, and care of opportunistic infections targeting the PLHA, their family members and the community members. In spite of many challenges and constraints, it has become successful to instill the hope and happiness in the PLHA and number of deaths this year is just three. We have already initiated collaborative programs with other PLHA’s organization of the district and outside.
Besides, it has been running general awareness rising and interaction activities on HIV/AIDS and STI related issues in collaboration with different like-minded and community based organizations of the district (mainly with Women Acting Together for Change which is its main supporter and inspiration). It has been recognized for its initiatives and involvements in HIV/AIDS issue by PLHA as well as and general people. Considering its services to the PLHA and vulnerable people, it has got a small projects from National Federation of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (NFWLA) and the District AIDS Coordination Committee (DACC) of Rupandehi.
Though HIV/AIDS has been a widespread phenomenon in Nepal, PLHA of Nepal from rural areas are deprived and been refrained from the urgent services. They have been abused and exploited in different places. AJSS is committed to change the distressful condition of the PLHA and their families. As we are mostly illiterate from rural areas we are almost neglected, not trusted and forgotten by the donors and projects because they have to travel from their bastions of comfort. Whereas our members are dying because of lack of nutrition, minor treatments, fear and anxiety, TB and other opportunistic diseases.
Therefore we would like to appeal with all our friends that illiterate and poor PLHA from remote and rural areas should get more attention, otherwise they will die without knowing what hit them. There is almost no services for them whereas others at the centre are getting all the services. It is always a fight between centre and periphery for services. The centre always has all sorts of services. We do not want to be slaves of centre and depend upon their left overs. We want to voice for our rights over resources. We need to put first for the reason of equity. If supported we are committed to organize PLHA in the district levels and equip them to provide necessary services in their own areas.
If you have some empathy for dying PLHA from remote and rural areas, please contact us ;
————
Asha Jyoti Sahayog Samuha (AJSS) of Rupandehi, Nepal
c/o Women Acting Together for Change (WATCH)
Golpark, Rupandehi
Post Box NO.: 27
Rupandehi, Nepal
Tel.: 977 01 543905
Fax: 977 01 543905
E-mail: ashajyotirpd@gmail.com
Email: watchrup@wlink.com.np
