A recent AIDS awareness campaign in Siliguri

Siliguri, March 17: Bengal is performing poorly in healthcare delivery and support for people living with HIV/AIDS, a recent independent study conducted in three districts of the state has revealed.

Child In Need Institute (CINI), in association with the UK-based Voluntary Services Overseas, conducted the survey in Darjeeling, South 24 Parganas and Calcutta and found that more than a third of HIV patients on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in these districts do not follow their medication.

“This could lead to drug resistance and various complications among the patients,” said Rudranath Bhattacharya, a professor of community medicine at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, at a meet held here today to present the findings of the survey.

The irregularities in medication have been put down to high travel expenses, long queues at hospitals, lack of awareness and discrimination from society.

The survey has found that although 100 per cent of positive persons in the three districts visited hospitals for check-ups, 76 per cent of them had to travel long distances and spend a long time (some up to three hours) in queues before doctors could examine them.

“This and the lack of knowledge about the effects of non-adherence to ARV have contributed to irregular medication,” said Bhattacharya.

“Another concern raised by the study is the high levels of discrimination still being faced by persons infected with the virus,” said CINI deputy-director Veena Lakhumalani.

It has been found that 90 per cent have been exposed to some sort of discrimination or the other, perhaps a reason why only 50 per cent were willing to discuss their status with other members of the community.

The survey has also revealed that 62 per cent did not have a clear idea what a CD4 count was (it is a blood test that determines the immunity level of a patient).

The three districts where the survey was conducted represent zones with different levels of HIV prevalence: high (Calcutta), moderate (Darjeeling) and low (South 24 Parganas).

Representatives of several NGOs attended the presentation and made a few observations of their own, which will be incorporated in the recommendations to be submitted to the West Bengal State AIDS Prevention and Control Society for follow-up action.

Gautam, a representative of people living with HIV/AIDS from Jalpaiguri, said there was a need to train workers who are involved with home-based care.

“Quite often, they go to a village and ask where HIV positive persons live, thus disclosing their status and leaving them open to discrimination,” said Gautam.