Thousands of HIV positive people of Mizoram have realised this harsh truth to their utter dismay. These people, who are not welcomed in their relatives’ homes, even for a short stay, are now not allowed even to a separate home built exclusively for them.
A temporary shelter for HIV positives taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Aizawl has run into a roadblock in the form of local residents, which has put off inauguration of the building in the heart of the city scheduled for Tuesday.
The sudden move of the local residents, who have formed the Dawrpui West Welfare Society, has shocked not only the HIV positive people, but also social workers and netizens who have outpoured their sympathies for the patients.
The Short Stay Home has been jointly established by a non-governmental organisation FXB and Women Positive Network of Mizoram to provide shelter to HIV positive people who are required to visit Aizawl to take ART.
“As the HIV positive people are not welcome in their friends or relatives’ homes even for a short stay, we have established this shelter so that they can feel at home here,” said a social worker at FXB.
The social stigmatisation has prevented many HIV positives from taking the necessary ART as they cannot afford to stay in hotels, he said. The Short Stay Home has been set up in a rented building in the western part of Dawrpui locality, in the heart of the city. The objection came after larger organisations of Dawrpui, such as local council, Young Mizo Association and the largest denomination Presbyterian Church had given their nods. It was scheduled to be inaugurated by the local council chairman H Malsawma at 1:30 pm on Tuesday.
Though strongly denying any discrimination against the HIV positive people, the Dawrpui West Welfare Society leaders feared that setting up a shelter in their neighbourhood could set negative precedent for the future. “We believe, the HIV positives taking treatment at the Aizawl Civil Hospital can be given accommodations at the hospital,” one of them insisted.
The Dawrpui local council has convened a joint meeting of church organisations and social organisations in Dawrpui later to review the situation even as the welfare society has pledged to remain firm on its standpoint. The incident is a clear indication of social stigma attached to the HIV positive in this Christian-dominated state of Mizoram despite the extensive awareness campaign.
“Even though social attitude towards HIV positive people has improved compared to ten years ago, we are yet to get social acceptance. It is really disheartening that many of our members are still ostracised from their villages and localities,” said a member of Positive Network of Mizoram, on condition of anonymity.
The organisation has more than 4,000 members across the state.
That social ostracisation is still prevalent in Mizoram is clear from the fact that of the over 6,000 positives detected, only a handful have openly expressed themselves. “Whereas HIV positives refusing to openly declare their status leaves greater chances of HIV spread, the society still finds it difficult to accept HIV positives as they are. If such stigmatisation is what they get, who would openly declare that he or she is an HIV positive?” the activist asked.
From October 1990 till April t his year, 6905 have tested positive for HIV. These are from 1,91,398 blood samples of over10 lakh people. MSACS project director Dr Eric Zomawia said the rate of HIV has been on the decline and attributed this positive trend to the collective efforts of MSACS, churches and NGOs in Mizoram. According to the official, 3915 HIV positives are getting Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) at Aizawl civil hospital, 316 at Champhai civil hospital and 179 at Lunglei civil hospital.