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| HIV+ kids struggle for normalcy |
| Benson and Bency, HIV positive sibling from Kerala, are orphans as their parents died of AIDS.
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| INDIA
, 11-August-2007
3:7:10 AM |
| A few years ago, two children in Kerala's Kollam district, Benson and Bency hit the headlines when they were prevented from attending school because they were HIV positive.
NDTV revisits them to find that their struggle to lead a normal childhood is far from over.
Benson and Bency, HIV positive sibling from Kerala, are orphans as their parents died of AIDS.
The only living relative who takes their responsibility is their grandmother.
But 61-year-old Salamma is partially blind and asthmatic and she is unable to manage on her monthly pension of Rs 2000.
Twelve-year-old Bency's health is causing concern. She suffers from recurring Diarrhoea and loss of weight.
''From 28 kilograms she has now reduced to 23 kilograms. I have financial problems. With the meager pension I am trying my best to help my children regain health. I try to provide them good food once in a while,'' said Salamma.
Positive children have severe nutritional and immune deficiencies.
They need special nutrition, a diet rich in protein and carbohydrates and special medical care to delay the progression of the disease.
Free of cost
Both have been put on antiretroviral therapy which is provided free of cost by the government.
But they have to travel about 100 kilometers to the antiretroviral therapy centre in Thiruvananthapuram.
It is a challenge that many positive children in the state face and they are unable to access antiretroviral therapy that can prolong their lives.
''She may be developing more of immunological dysfunction. Even though her CD 4 count is satisfactory and viral load is less, she is not doing well as she was earlier.
''Whatever drugs she gets, she develops liver toxicity to those drugs. We have to adjust and even discontinue those drugs,'' said Noel Narayan, Paediatrician.
While Bency needs immediate medical intervention both children need financial assistance and a long-term plan of social protection.
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