LUDHIANA, Dec 1 — World AIDS Day was observed in Ludhiana with the usual hoopla that normally surrounds such occasions. Unfortunately, the AIDS scenario remains as grim as before.

“Being HIV positive means not only alienation from society, but also living constantly in the shadow of death. You live on tenterhooks most of the time. You never know when death may get you,” an AIDS patient told Ludhiana Tribune in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital here.

Doctors at the hospital revealed that the last few years have registered a considerable increase in the number of HIV positive cases at Ludhiana. “Earlier we used to get four or five cases per year, but now we get one patient per week,”. Not surprisingly, Punjab has the unenviable distinction of being the fifth most HIV-prone state in India with Ludhiana district being a forerunner.

AIDS has recently acquired a new dimension. The spread of HIV is changing the entire dynamics of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Not only are the STD cases becoming more typical, they are also becoming aggressive. These days leading hospitals require a person suffering from a sexually transmitted disease to get a mandatory ELISA test done.

Enquiries from patients who did not wish to be identified revealed that the most common mode of transmission of AIDS was hetrosexual contact. Transmission through blood transfusion and perinatal mode (from mother to child) were not so common in cities like Ludhiana.

It may be mentioned here that of all the occupational groups, truck drivers have been found to outnumber all others. The other high-risk groups include migrant labourers and domestic servants. “As the floating population hardly has any channels for sublimation of their sexual urges, visiting commercial sex workers becomes almost a dire need for this group,” opined a social worker working with AIDS patients.

An interesting study was conducted by a team of doctors from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicines of the Old Dayanand Hospital. This study analysed the sexual behaviour of the long distance truck drivers. It was found that 80 per cent of them visited commercial sex workers. But only 10 per cent of them used condoms. The most alarming fact was that barely 17 per cent of them were aware of AIDS and its ramifications.

The study also revealed that 70 per cent of these truck drivers were married and 60 per cent of them indulged in pre-marital and extra-marital affairs. Some of the dhabas on the highways were involved in a brisk sex trade and their exclusive clientele was restricted to truck drivers.

Though there are no red light areas in Ludhiana, police sources reveal that areas like Dugri, Dana Mandi, Chhoti Haibowal and other labour colonies near Sherpur Chowk are the centres of clandestine sex trade. “Many women scrap collectors solicit customers to earn an extra buck. “AIDS awareness or condoms — these have no meaning for them,” a doctor at DMC said.

Strangely, the Ludhianvi society has still not woken up to the potential threat of AIDS. “It is high time to take cognizance of this disease and plan out a long-term strategy that involves medical, psychiatric and social intervention at the proper time and in proper perspective,” said Dr V. Mohan, the Head of Department, SPM.

Sitting on a hot bed of an AIDS epidemic, if adequate awareness about this dreadful disease is not spread on a war-footing, our worst nightmares related to AIDS may turn to reality.

Meanwhile to spread awareness on AIDS among youth, declamation and paper reading contests were held at Ramgarhia Girls’ College and Devki Devi Jain College of Education here today.

Nearly 24 students from 12 colleges participated in the paper reading contest organised by the Community Health Education Committee of Ludhiana Citizen’s Health Council. The contestants spoke on the topics-‘Transmission of HIV’, ‘Cure and treatment of AIDS’, ‘Prevention and protection from AIDS’, ‘Ethical issues around HIV’ and ‘AIDS today and tomorrow’.

Payal Arora of Khalsa College for Women, while speaking on transmission of HIV, said that sexual contact was the most common mode, followed by blood transfusion, intra-venous inoculations and peri-natal means. She said that the chances of contracting the disease from a male to a female are twice those from a female to a male. She also said that one-third of the HIV positive mothers gave birth to an HIV positive child.

While speaking on the necessary precautions, Damanpreet from the same college, said that by avoiding casual sex, using condoms, sterilised syringes and HIV-free blood for transfusions, the disease could be controlled to some extent.

An HIV positive individual has to lead a secluded life as relatives, friends and employers snap all ties with him, said Sumedha of Arya College for Women, while speaking on ethical issues around HIV.

While addressing the students the chief guest, Dr Zoni Jain, director of a nursing home, said that 50 per cent of HIV infected were women of reproductive age group.

Judges on the occasion were Dr Achla Gupta, child specialist, Dr Jasbir Singh, Zonal AIDS Officer, Civil Hospital, and Ms Vinay Jain, president, All India Women Conference, New Delhi. Mr Bimal Jain, chairperson of the committee, and Mr Sandeep Jain, secretary, were present on the occasion.

He said communicable diseases like TB, AIDS, malaria, hepatitis, dengue, typhoid and cholera can be prevented by creating awareness among the public and providing treatment to those suffering from these diseases. At an average the cost of treatment of a TB patient was Rs 2,000 on medicines alone and most of the patients being poor or with limited resources, could not afford the treatment.

Funds will be collected and distributed to charitable bodies, NGO's and hospitals for treatment of poor TB patients and to spread awareness for the prevention of communicable diseases. The possibility of setting up a permanent free TB clinic under the project, was also being explored.

Mr Walia further said that a drive will be launched to enroll resourceful and philanthropic citizens, who could take the responsibility of providing treatment to at least one TB patient so that the state became TB free in next five years.