[on HealthDev.net]: A project in Northeast India that began with a focus on children living with HIV has realized the need to revise its strategy to include other children affected by HIV and AIDS.

Speaking at the 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) in Bali, Indonesia, Ch Randhir Singh of Kripa Foundation based in Imphal, Manipur, said his organizing is recognizing the need to provide care and support services to all children made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS.

"Neglecting these children will only increase their vulnerability to child labour, substance abuse, child trafficking, anti-social behaviour and risky sexual behaviour," Singh said.

Manipur, a small state of 2.4 million people in northeast India has a high HIV prevalence mainly due to the use of unsterilised needles to inject drugs. According to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Manipur has an estimated adult HIV prevalence of 1.57%, the highest of all states of India. The prevalence could be as high as 32% among communities of injecting drug users (IDUs).

The HIV epidemic has had a devastating impact on children in the state who are either living with or are affected by the virus.

To respond to the needs of children living with HIV, Kripa Foundation through financial support from Catholic Relief Services (CRS), enrolled 42 of the 82 HIV-positive children on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

"Between 2004 and 2008, the project provided regular health check-ups, health investigation and medicinal support, life skills education, nutritional support, psychosocial and palliative care to children living with HIV," Singh revealed.

While these services have improved the lives of children living with HIV, there is a growing concern that if immediate action is not taken to help orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC), the situation of many children will get worse and more are likely to get infected with HIV, according to Singh.

OVC are facing serious challenges including those to do with stigma and discrimination, inadequate parental love and care, low self-esteem and lack emotional and financial support.

Singh is calling for immediate government or donor intervention to provide resources to address this issue so that the children will have an opportunity to enjoy their basic rights.

Kripa Foundation is already carrying out advocacy work to raise community awareness about the issue of OVC and to reduce the stigma and discrimination against children affected by HIV and AIDS. It is now left to the government and the international community to step up their efforts to support children living with and affected by HIV and AIDS in the state.

Godsway Shumba
Key Correspondent

Online at: http://healthdev.net/site/post.php?s=5728

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