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Steps to instill confidence among HIV patients Chandigarh, November, 27 The 540 such centres in the country have now been renamed as Voluntary Counselling and Confidential Training Services (VCCTC), as the fear of their HIV status being disclosed to others prevents them from seeking counselling or treatment. The AIDS epidemic update brought out by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS has stressed that it was only by confronting stigma and discrimination that the fight against HIV/AIDS can be won. The report states that the negative attitude about HIV creates a climate in which people become more afraid of the stigma and discrimination associated with AIDS than of the disease itself. “One of the question which really bothers a majority of the people who call up the AIDS Helpline, is whether their identity will be kept secret in case they go to a VCCTC,” says Dr Avnish Jolly, coordinator of the Chandigarh AIDS Hotline. He says the fear of their HIV status being made public, proves to be a major deterrent for a lot of people keen to get their blood tested. NACO, at a recent meeting of the state AIDS Control Societies in the country had pointed out that one of the reason for the poor attendance at some of the VCCTC’s could be lack of privacy and confidentiality. “Though all information about the identity and HIV status of a person was being kept secret but to reassure the people the word confidential has been added,” remarked a doctor. There are three such VCCTC in the city at the PGI, General Hospital and Government Medical College and Hospital. PGI doctors treating a large number of patients from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, say the stigma attached to the disease prevents a majority of people do not divulge their real name or address. “It is only over a period of time when they develop confidence and share a good rapport with us that they tell us their actual name and even give their mobile number,” says a senior doctor. A Bombay-based Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS unit has been generating awareness among the AIDS patients about their right to confidentiality and the legal action they can initiate in case of discrimination. “A majority of the patients are afraid to go to the court to vindicate their rights for fear of their HIV status becoming public but hardly anyone knows that they can use the tool of ‘suppression of identity’,” informed one of the members. Explaining about the tool of ‘suppression of identity’ he said a patient could litigate under a pseudonym, enabling him to seek justice without being ostracised. |
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Nine-year-old awaits gift of life Chandigarh, November, 27 Suffering from a kidney disorder leading to excessive loss of protein, his entire body gets swollen. The problem is so acute that even his eyes swell up, because of which he has not been able to attend the school regularly. “Since the family has no money for treatment, his condition has worsened during the past two years since then. He has been coming to us. and now he has acquired Hepatitis-B infection, which if not treated could worsen his condition,” explains Dr Anuj Walia, from the Paediatric Gastroenterology Department at the PGI. “Working as a labourer in other people’s fields, I am barely able to eke out an existence and support my wife and three children,” says his father Ram Pal. Expressing his helplessness he says he does not even have land in his name, which he could have sold off to raise money for Gurmeet’s treatment. The family hails from Bhaidu village, in Naraingarh tehsil, about 30 km from Ambala. The inexpensive medicines which was being given to Gurmeet, for the past one year did not help in controlling the problem. “The only option left is to give him injections, each costing Rs 2,300, on alternate day for the next six months,” says Dr Walia. The cost of the treatment will work out to be approximately Rs 1.50 lakh, under a special package being offered by a pharmaceutical company, where they will give four injections free on buying 10. Being in and out of the hospital for the past three years, Ram Pal, says he is already under heavy debt and nobody is willing to lend him more money. His only hope now lies in liberal donations from the people so that the injections could be given to his son for the next six years. Those willing to help Gurmeet can get in touch with Dr Anuj Walia on mobile phone No. 9815333166 or the PGI Public Relation Officer on 2747585-ext- 6003. The family can be contacted at the Paediatric Gastroenterology Ward in the Block-F, first floor of the PGI. |
Equestrian stars in the making Chandigarh, November 27 One of the trainers, Jasdeep Toor, said at times he was unsure if his trainees would be able to face the tough competition. He said the best performance came from 15-year-old Mehar Sidhu, a student of Vivek High School, Sector 38. She won the ladies hacks event. Mehar had been practising for the past six years and had earlier taken part in the Delhi horse show. In children boot and hay race, first place went to 10-year-old Ishraj Singh Ranauta. In children ball and bucket race II, third place went to Aina Vala. In fancy dress, second place went to Jaskirat Kaur and Charanpreet was fourth. Jaanesh Kaur got fourth place in children ball and bucket race I while Apoorv Gupta secured fourth place in children trotting race. Aina Vala, just three feet four inches tall, had to mount her full-size horse unaided during the competition on three occasions to earn her award. Toor said there were other upcoming riders like Viraj Pannu, Pukhraj Jeji, Seerat Brar, Nawab and Sultan, all below 10 years of age. |
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Joginder wins under-19
5000-m race Chandigarh, November 27 Results:
under 19: 5,000 metres: Joginder (SPS-41)1, Rajesh (GMSSS-21) 2; Raj Kumar (GMSSS-21) 3. Shot put: Naveen (DAVSSS-8) 1, Ishat (AKSPIS-41) 2, Pankaj (DAVSSS-8) 3. 400 metres:Nasir (DAVSSS-8) 1, Pushpinder (St Xavier’s-44) 2, Vir Bahadur (GMSSS-23) 3. Under17: 3000 metres; Gurinder Singh (DAVSSS-8) 1, Jagdeep (SPS-41) 2, Aman (DAVSSS-8) 3. 400 metres:Sudhir (DAVSSS-8) 1, Anthony (St Anne’s-32) 2, Jaskaran (GNPS-36) 3.
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MCM DAV, GCG-11 move ahead Chandigarh, November 27 In yet another tie, Ramgarhia Girls College, Ludhiana, defeated GGS Khalsa College for women, Ludhiana 57-31 Meanwhile on the fourth day of the ongoing North East Zone Inter University Tennis Tournament played here, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal), defeated Calcutta University, Kolkata 3-0, while CSJM University, Kanpur, outplayed Dr BRA University, Agra 3-0, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, beat Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyala, Hardwar, 3-0, while Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, got the better of Lucknow University, Lucknow 3-0. |
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Badminton meet today Chandigarh, November 27 Later, in the exhibition matches played between IA & AS Officers (above 45 years), Nand Lal, AG (A&E), Punjab, PK Verma, Senior DAG, got the better of YC Satyawadi, Principal AG, Audit, Punjab and DK Bakshi, DAG 15-10,15-13 in a well played tie. In the below 45 years, Sumant Narain, AAG and Sumit Verma downed Uday and Nitish 15-12,15-10. |
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Joginder wins gold Chandigarh, November 27 A total of 16 teams of the Chandigarh police led by ASI Parminder Singh took part in the meet. |
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Jhuggi dwellers asked to
submit papers Chandigarh, November 27 A spokesperson of the Administration said the jhuggi dwellers whose jhuggis are likely to be removed by the Administration should visit the Estate Office. |
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