Editorial:-
The first HIV-positive case in Sikkim was detected in 1994. Data with the Sikkim State AIDS Control Society informs that the number of HIV+ve cases in Sikkim now, two decades later, stands at 296. The aim is to get to ‘Zero’ - Zero new HIV infections; Zero discrimination; Zero AIDS-related deaths. That would be an ideal place to reach because HIV and AIDS have remained vexed challenge, presenting no solutions beyond precaution and wider awareness. A quick recap of the HIV/ AIDS scenario in Sikkim reveals that in the first HIV decade in Sikkim - between 1995 to 2006 - six HIV+ve cases collapsed into full-blown AIDS. A year later, in 2007, 12 HIV+ve people developed AIDS. The first case of AIDS in Sikkim was detected in 2005. Many who developed AIDS have passed away and at present, there are around 50 living with AIDS. The reason why these figures are detailed here is to drive home the point that AIDS awareness demands consistent effort and support in Sikkim. This, even more so because the still low numbers can be misleading and induce a false sense of calm. Anyone who has ever worked with HIV and AIDS knows that this approach is dangerous. What Sikkim has to realise is that HIV prevalence can explode if awareness and education is not delivered coherently and consistently. This, even more so because newborns have arrived in this world with the virus we passed on to them. Data available with those working in the sector reveals that there are nine under ten year olds living with HIV in Sikkim, having received the virus from their parents. In this regard, it also needs mention here that the WHO’s focus for the 2013 campaign is improving access to prevention, treatment and care services for adolescents (10-19 years), a group that continues to be vulnerable despite efforts so far. Across the world, more than 2 million adolescents are living with HIV, and many do not receive the care and support that they need to stay in good health and prevent transmission. In addition, millions more adolescents are at risk of infection. As per WHO, the failure to support effective and acceptable HIV services for adolescents has resulted in a 50% increase in reported AIDS-related deaths in this group [10 to 19 year olds] compared with the 30% decline seen in the general population from 2005 to 2012.
National and state-level statistics might suggest that the battle against the Virus is being won, but that is misleading; what is happening on ground is that the field of battle is changing. As the elder generation adopts precautions on a wider scale, the younger generation remains at risk but largely unaware. The adolescents might know about HIV and AIDS, but are still not convinced that they are at risk. The nine children with HIV in Sikkim were born with the virus and had no control over their situation, let that not be the case with the State’s adolescents as they venture into the world, ensure that they are better informed and more resolutely safe. This will require the awareness modules to be reworked and customized to Sikkim and its ground realities. And this is required because talk about HIV and AIDS has become so routine and commonplace that many groups do not even blink when someone suggests that World AIDS Day is being ‘celebrated’. There is nothing celebratory about HIV or AIDS, but people get inured too easily nowadays. It is important to bear in mind that this Virus is still as lethal and communicable as it was when the first case was detected. The Red Ribbon Clubs [since they work directly among the young] need to be infused with clearer intent and purpose. The entire awareness exercise has to be more earnest, more involved. HIV and AIDS are no longer dirty little secrets Sikkim can afford to sweep under the carpet and ignore.
The first HIV-positive case in Sikkim was detected in 1994. Data with the Sikkim State AIDS Control Society informs that the number of HIV+ve cases in Sikkim now, two decades later, stands at 296. The aim is to get to ‘Zero’ - Zero new HIV infections; Zero discrimination; Zero AIDS-related deaths. That would be an ideal place to reach because HIV and AIDS have remained vexed challenge, presenting no solutions beyond precaution and wider awareness. A quick recap of the HIV/ AIDS scenario in Sikkim reveals that in the first HIV decade in Sikkim - between 1995 to 2006 - six HIV+ve cases collapsed into full-blown AIDS. A year later, in 2007, 12 HIV+ve people developed AIDS. The first case of AIDS in Sikkim was detected in 2005. Many who developed AIDS have passed away and at present, there are around 50 living with AIDS. The reason why these figures are detailed here is to drive home the point that AIDS awareness demands consistent effort and support in Sikkim. This, even more so because the still low numbers can be misleading and induce a false sense of calm. Anyone who has ever worked with HIV and AIDS knows that this approach is dangerous. What Sikkim has to realise is that HIV prevalence can explode if awareness and education is not delivered coherently and consistently. This, even more so because newborns have arrived in this world with the virus we passed on to them. Data available with those working in the sector reveals that there are nine under ten year olds living with HIV in Sikkim, having received the virus from their parents. In this regard, it also needs mention here that the WHO’s focus for the 2013 campaign is improving access to prevention, treatment and care services for adolescents (10-19 years), a group that continues to be vulnerable despite efforts so far. Across the world, more than 2 million adolescents are living with HIV, and many do not receive the care and support that they need to stay in good health and prevent transmission. In addition, millions more adolescents are at risk of infection. As per WHO, the failure to support effective and acceptable HIV services for adolescents has resulted in a 50% increase in reported AIDS-related deaths in this group [10 to 19 year olds] compared with the 30% decline seen in the general population from 2005 to 2012.
National and state-level statistics might suggest that the battle against the Virus is being won, but that is misleading; what is happening on ground is that the field of battle is changing. As the elder generation adopts precautions on a wider scale, the younger generation remains at risk but largely unaware. The adolescents might know about HIV and AIDS, but are still not convinced that they are at risk. The nine children with HIV in Sikkim were born with the virus and had no control over their situation, let that not be the case with the State’s adolescents as they venture into the world, ensure that they are better informed and more resolutely safe. This will require the awareness modules to be reworked and customized to Sikkim and its ground realities. And this is required because talk about HIV and AIDS has become so routine and commonplace that many groups do not even blink when someone suggests that World AIDS Day is being ‘celebrated’. There is nothing celebratory about HIV or AIDS, but people get inured too easily nowadays. It is important to bear in mind that this Virus is still as lethal and communicable as it was when the first case was detected. The Red Ribbon Clubs [since they work directly among the young] need to be infused with clearer intent and purpose. The entire awareness exercise has to be more earnest, more involved. HIV and AIDS are no longer dirty little secrets Sikkim can afford to sweep under the carpet and ignore.
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