Panel balm for people infected with HIV

KHELEN THOKCHOM • Ten-year-old Ibemma Devi (named changed), an HIV patient, studies in Class I, her progress stunted by frequent illness • Matouleibi Devi (name changed), an HIV-positive widow living with her infected son, fights social stigma in addition to the immunity-shattering virus • Nganbi Devi, a teenager, is treated badly whenever she goes for anti-retroviral therapy and medical advice at a government hospital Imphal, Aug. 17: For the first time since the deadly HIV was detected in her blood, Matouleibi Devi got a willing ear today to listen to her anguish. The widow and her son, along with several others like her, lodged complaints of neglect at a two-day public hearing for children affected by HIV/AIDS organised by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights at the auditorium of Kangla fort of Imphal city today. The panel, comprising the commission’s chairperson, Shanthi Sinha, member Deepa Dixit and S.D. Dey from CRY, promised the complainants food, education and healthcare. The commission “settled” the petitions by directing government officials from the social welfare department, education department and deputy commissioners present during the hearing to look into the demands. Most of the complaints were similar. They did not get the government’s help as they were not aware of the benefits. “I stopped going to government hospitals because the doctors and nurses did not treat me and my children properly,” said Thoibi Devi (name changed). Sinha directed the officials to bring them under social welfare schemes like widow pension, loans and provide them other forms of financial assistance. She asked education director W. Rajen, who was present at the meeting, to go to Ibemma Devi’s school, talk to the school’s head and arrange for special coaching so that she can be in the right class. The official also asked the project director of Manipur AIDS Control Society, Ashok Kumar, to institute an inquiry into the denial of treatment of HIV-positive people at hospitals. She directed the education director to waive examination fees of an HIV-positive boy, who could not appear for the matriculation examination for his inability to pay the required fees. “The commission has indeed come as a blessing for us and we are looking forward to better support from the government,” an HIV-positive widow said.