India to offer microloans for people living with HIV

Dear Editor,

Despite the best efforts, we haven't really found what to do that would be the best, even several decades after the HIV infection was first noticed. We need to really look at the problem holistically, starting with the need to get down to the basics first. As to the basics that are pertinent, they might be that this infection can easily be prevented, and for that the efforts must be kept on. More avenues of entertainment can be thought of and provided in places where this infection is rampant, and it would be best if the likes and dislikes of the population are taken into consideration. In regions like Manipur, for example, surely there could be better modalities of entertainment that can be established, rather than sharing needles and indulging in drugs. Besides the parents, the local leaders, religious heads, teachers, administrators, law enforcers, health care providers, social workers, non governmental organizations (NGOs), etc, need to get back into action. They need to create a wave against drug use, sharing of needles, unsafe sex, etc, while at the same time trying to get the youth engaged in safe entertainment, games, sports, indoor games, etc. The people of Manipur and the North East are quite simple and very jovial, and they may be doing drugs owing to no better facilities available for entertainment, and certain degree of acceptance for the drug use, in the back drop of no appreciable resistance coming against the established practice of drug use and sharing of needles. Equations and circumstances will be different for various regions around the globe, and therefore there could be a requirement of more fit than just one, and this should be remembered while formulating any modality in the future.

Education, as already known, would always remain a strong pillar for HIV prevention, and therefore that needs to be addressed once again in such form that it is understood, and practiced as well. And possibly, in the context of HIV & AIDS, we need to be a bit more prudent in imparting "education", so that the school age children don't start indulging with experimentation with the "knowledge" that they get imparted. In earlier times, there was a time frame set for imparting knowledge about the birds and the bees, and maybe we need to get the clock readjusted a bit that seemingly has gone a bit awry of late.

Next comes the continued indulgence with HIV testing, and treatment. That should continue as per the guidelines. In certain cases there could be some unsafe and risky behavior, that would need to be checked. Perseverance by healthcare workers and social activists would be needed to help those brought under medical care and treatment to continue getting due care and treatment.

Finally, about rehabilitation. Micro-financing could be one way, but that would be limited by the safety net some banks might adhere to, and therefore this could be of help to some specific individuals. But if more needs to be done, then things like setting up small scale industries (SSIs), developing collective farming, orchards, etc,need to be thought of, thereby providing all of them gainful employment, as also the keeping up of hope that is very essential. To improve further, certain other facilities in the campus like healthcare facility , medicine distribution centres, creches, entertainment and recreational facility, etc, should also be incorporated. Social activists, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can supplement the efforts, and that would perhaps go a long way, while stigmatization and social isolation should be prevented at all costs.

Best regards.

Dr. Rajesh Chauhan Consultant Family Medicine Hon' National Professor (IMA CGP) INDIA

Dr. Shruti Chauhan

Conflict of Interest:

None declared