I've previously written that everyone benefits from the HIVAIDS lie.
As if to prove the point, HIVers in Goa are to be paid for being ill
and taking HIV wonder drugs.
<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/Desperate_acts_by_Goas_HIVve/articleshow/3118695.cms>:
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The tragedy is not that they are dying, but that they want to die so
that they can live. Already living desultory lives, shunned by society
and suffering terribly, many HIV positive individuals are prepared to
get sicker, and all for just a thousand rupees.
Since the state finance minister announced Rs 1000 a month to those
put on antiretroviral treatment (ART), HIV positive persons are
looking at this financial bonanza as a way out of their financial
straits.
"HIV positive people are increasingly asking to be put on ART without
understanding the complications linked with it. This is happening with
speculation that the compensation of Rs 1000 will be only given to
those on ART," says Sofia, of the NGO Rishta working with HIV patients
in North Goa.
Mahesh Govekar of Zindagi, an NGO which runs a drop-in centre for
HIV/AIDS patients in South Goa, said, "Many HIV persons are desperate
to get financial help as it fills them with a sense of security to
fight social criticism. There are several doubts in the minds of the
HIV positive persons about the scheme. But once we counsel them, they
tend to understand."
Forty-five-year-old Charles, an HIV positive individual, is praying
and working to ensure that the next time he goes for a blood test, his
CD 4 count shows less than 200 (very low immunity) and that he is
immediately put on ART.
"I need the money to run my home. If being HIV positive and healthy
means being denied the Rs 1000 benefit, then it is better to be ill.
At least I can be of some help to my family," said Charles.
"I am happy to be on ART," said Sheena from Calangute. "This means
that I can give a better life to my three children, one of them
suffering from HIV."
Goa State Aid Control Society deputy director Elmira Pereira said,
"Every patient put on ART would be given Rs 1000 at the ART centre."
About 510 patients currently on ART will benefit from the scheme,
which has upset some of the 10,000 odd persons living with HIV/AIDS.
Under the scheme a person gets financial assistance of Rs 1000 per
month in the first year which will increase at the rate of 5%
annually.
But what these patients don't realize is that they are playing with
their lives, as a CD count of below 200 can be dangerous. Once a
person is started on ART this treatment will have to be continued with
always.
Doctors say that an HIV positive individual has to follow a strict
diet regime and lead a healthy life to maintain his health. "If their
CD 4 count goes below 200, there is destruction of immune cells and
the body's ability to fight infections decreases. Such patients are
more susceptible to op****tunistic infections and need to be put on ART
to improve their immunity," said Dr N G Dubha****, head, department of
medicine, Goa Medical College.
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I've previously highlighted an article about women in Nepal who want
an HIV+ diagnosis because it's a gateway to food and education for
their family. See
<http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullstory.asp?filename=aFanata0sa3qzpca4Ta1ua.axamal&folder=aHaoamW&Name=Home&dtSiteDate=20080504>.
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<http://www.hiv-poz.co.uk/>
4,899 days and counting...
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