Hazaribagh, Nov. 28: Yoga could work as a stress-buster and help instill the desire to live among HIV victims.

This is what the authorities at Snehdeep Hospital at Sitagarha, 7km from the district headquarters, believe.

The hospital started a yoga camp last year to treat people who have tested positive for HIV. The initiative seems to have gone well with the people as a large number of patients are flocking to this camp. “As many as 60 patients are regularly attending the yoga sessions at the hospital,” said Sister Brito, the director of the hospital. The hospital provides free medication to patients and has become a shelter for many who have been spurned by their families.

“Yoga energises patients and instill confidence in them to fight the disease. The yoga sessions include meditation and pranayam. After we are convinced that the patient has had enough of yoga sessions and is mentally strong to fight the disease and the social stigma attached to it, we discharge them,” Sister Brito said.

Patients pray from 8am to 9am before taking Yoga classes from 9.30am. “The meditation techniques are taught to them by art of living instructors,” she added.

A Union government team had visited the hospital in April last year and lauded the authorities for their efforts to help HIV victims.

According to Hazaribagh Sadar Hospital records, more than 100 villagers have died of HIV-related illness since 2000 in this block and adjoining villages in Bagodar of Giridih.