Need of Actions

There need more programs to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS

By A CORRESSPONDENT

As usual the World AIDS day was celebrated with all fan fare processions, talks programs, the message of the ministers, NGOs and the People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) but the questions remain how successfully Nepal transform its commitment in reality.

A decade ago when there are only few persons with HIV positive but the situation has changed now as National Center for AIDS and STD Control Center (NCASC) has already registered the more than 5000 cases of HIV positive in Nepal .

From the initial period of low prevalence, the HIV now spreads as a confined epidemic heading towards general epidemic. As number of population demanding retroviral medicines continues to increase, the government needs to prepare with a greater coordinated approach.

Unlike a decade ago, the involvement of large number of PLHA against HIV/AIDS campaign is a positive development. The availability of the retroviral treatment in different parts of the country is another milestone in the areas of HIV/AIDS.  

"We have already developed a plan to supply the retroviral treatment from four different zones including Kathmandu , Pokhara, Dharan and Nepalgunj," said Dr.Shyam Sunder Mishra, director of NCASC. "Since we are adequate retroviral medicines, the center is now in the position to maintain the supply flow." With the greater participation of PLHA, we have seen effective campaign against HIV/AIDS.

The fight against the HIV/AIDS is a priority sector in Nepal as the government has been working closely with number of donor countries to prevent the spread of HIV and support the HIV patient. Along with USAID, UNAIDS, AUSAIDS, DFID and other UN agencies have been working in Nepal .

Although USAID has been supporting Nepal 's health sector since 1950s, the AIDS is a new area. According to USAID, the agency has been the lead donor for HIV/AIDS programs in Nepal through which the American People have contributed $45 million over 12 years for surveillance, prevention, behavior change, communications, voluntary counseling and testing, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, condom social marketing, advancing supportive policies, care and support. USAID provides technical assistance to the National HIV/AIDS program through Family Health International, Population Service International, The Future Group/ Policy Project and UNICEF.

Many other organizations have been also supporting the programs launched to contain HIV/AIDS in Nepal but many PLHA complain that they are yet to include in the programs.

"We know how painful to live in society as a HIV," said Ujwal Baral, national coordinator of National Association of PLHA." There need to be meaningful participation of PLHA," said Baral, addressing the press organized in American Library by American Center .

Another PLHA Goma Rai of Sakti Milan Kendra has similar story to tell. " The media and society is not fair in favor of us as they do story using harsh words against us," Rai said. "I have been living for last 10 years with HIV along with my husband as normal people and no one need to worry about us."

As government has already begun the distribution of retroviral treatment in four regions of the country and planning to expand it into other hospitals, this will help to give long life to HIV patient.