Discrimination of HIV+ people in Ukhrul alleged
Source: The Sangai Express
Ukhrul, August 06 2011:
Civil society organizations, HIV positive networks, and NGOs in Ukhrul today condemned alleged discrimination of HIV positive people by health care providers and demanded immediate steps to address poor health care system in the district.
Representatives of the Indigenous Mothers Association (IMA), Ukhrul District NGOs Alliance on Health, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), Doulos, Kamphasom Youth Organisation, Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE), and Ukhrul Network of Positive People (UNP+) made the demand during a press briefing at the Tangkhul Theological Association hall, Ukhrul, today.
It came to light during the media briefing that one Themngam, a HIV positive patient put on ART since July 20, 2011, died on July 26, a day after he was admitted to Ukhrul district hospital.
After a doctor put him on dextrose injection the previous evening and advised treatment in Imphal, he was left unattended and died at the wee hours on JUly 26 .
"The two nurses on duty refused to examine him saying they can't take risk.
They even refused to replace the empty drip with a fresh one," contended Pangam, wife of the deceased adding that she had to replace the drip herself.
When her husband's condition deteriorated she reportedly removed it again not knowing what to do.
"My husband will die one day when his time comes but what hurts most is the way he died, unattended," she lamented.
UNP+ president C Ayo, stating that it was not the first time people living with HIV and AIDS were discriminated by health care providers, said "We at least expect them (health care providers) to be aware and sensitive to this issue.
Such incidents of discrimination send a very negative message to the general community" .
Pointing out absence of ART doctor and lab technician to conduct CD4 test he said that in a number of cases ART is initiated without CD4 test.
"Not everyone can afford to go to Imphal to consult an ART doctor or get their CD4 tested" .
The district is yet to have a Community Care Centre (CCC) and many essential medicines for treatment of Opportunistic Infection (OI) are not available at the district hospital.
While appreciating MACS for a number of services available in Ukhrul he also suggested that MACS should ensure that services are available and easily accessible whenever the need arises.
Adding to the dilemma of an understaffed Ukhrul district hospital is the fact that there is a ART doctor after the last left the job on February 27 this year.
The CD4 machine remains idle after the lab technician left earlier on January 25 .
The last CD4 test is said to have done on January 24.While the hospital has a sanctioned strength of 19 doctors, including one ayush and two dental surgeons, only 15 have been allotted out of which only about nine are working in the hospital.
Contrary to 29 sanctioned strength of staff nurse only 15 have been allotted.
Regretting that frequent transfers, leave and absenteeism has become the norm, IMA convenor Tam Zimik said, "Every time a person dies unattended the readymade answer is 'lack of manpower or poor infrastructure', this has to stop and we will do anything to address this" .
Validating IMA's stand TKS general secretary Mahira said health care personnel in the district hospital should be held accountable for this so that such incidents are not repeated.
He also desired role of the church in addressing stigma and discrimination.
Civil society and concerned organizations in Ukhrul will be submitting a memorandum to the Ukhrul Deputy Commissioner, Health Minister, Commissioner (Health), Manipur State AIDS Control Society and the National AIDS Control Organisation on this issue.
CoNE convenor Nolini-kanta pointed out that in the absence of a District AIDS Control Officer in the district it is difficult for positive networks and NGOs to approach and resolve issues.
CoNE in consultation with various civil society organizations and NGOs in Ukhrul will approach relevant government departments and organizations to help address the issue of stigma and discrimination and poor service facilities in Ukhrul.
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