HIV / AIDS & Children In India

HIV / AIDS
"Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections"

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS

HIV / AIDS in India
India has the largest HIV infected population in the world. Based on the last official estimate the number is around 5 .2 million. But if infected children are included it goes up to around 5.7 million, giving us this dubious distinction

This, by the way, is the official count of the cases. Those that were tested and found positive. It does not include the (dare i say this) millions of cases who are not yet tested but go around continuing their infection spree. Given that the first reported case was in India in 1986 it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that this disease is spreading and spreading dangerously fast.

While there is awareness, initiative and the funding to combat HIV through government and non governmental agencies in India their main challenges are :

1. The population in India
2. The intense social stigma and discrimination attached to this disease.
   
3. Access to HIV care and treatment. (57 % of the HIV +ve cases are reported in rural areas Of these housewives are the second largest group).
   
4. Inappropriate use and management of funds and resources

Some links below

• Advert - An International Aids Charity with a very informative and easy to navigate website.
  
• The United Nations Development Programme.
• The National AIDS Control Organization - India
  
• Rajan Gupta's collection of links and resources on the web.
  

HIV / AIDS & Children
The thrid main cause of HIV infection is the transmission during pregnancy , delivery and breast feeding. Fortunately only about 30 % of the women who are infected with the HIV transmit it to thier children. Of these only about 5 % of the transmission occurs while the baby is in the uterus. The remianing 25 % occurs during delivery itself and breast feeding post delivery. With the right use of ART drugs during the delivery (a dose for both the mother and child) the transmission percentage has reduced almost 2% in most countries.

• http://www.avert.org/pregnancy.htm
• http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1223.asp

As i mention in the next post the Deena Sevana Sabha is doing some great work with HIV +ve children in Bangalore. Please visit them when you have a chance and lend them your support.

Deena Sevana Sabha
Deenanilaya, Kothanur, Bangalore 560077
Phone : +91 80 28465318, +91 80 28465948
deenanilaya@hotmail.com

Dr. Maya & Myrada
A dear friend of ours Dr.Maya Mascarenhas, has been working with HIV / AIDS and other public health issues in the rural areas in Kartnataka for along time. She is part of an Non- Governmental Organization called Myrada . She helped me with the facts provided insights into the fight against AIDS and would be the right person to contact for more information and queries. You can reach her at the details below

MYRADA (www.myrada.org)
No.2, Service Road, Domlur Layout
Bangalore 560 071.

Phone: +91 80 25352028, +91 80 25353166, +91 80 25354457
Fax : +91 80 25350982
myrada@vsnl.com