by Punjita Pradhan
KATHMANDU, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Flaws in the Nepali government's policies have obstructed the implementation of anti-HIV/AIDS program in the country, activists and HIV/AIDS victims said.
Although the government has claimed the number of HIV infected had been reduced, there are still a large number of population who are living with the virus, Goma Rai, an HIV victim and chairwoman of Shanti Milan Kendra (SMK), told Xinhua on Thursday. "A large number of people are living with HIV. The data reveals a decreased number of HIV/AIDS infection, but the truth is the victims don't want to come out," Rai said.
It is still very difficult to live in our society being recognized as an AIDS victim, Rai added. "Once recognized as a victim, there will be lots of discrimination and questions in the society, which makes it very difficult for us to cope with the situation," Rai added.
She said that was the reason why people conceal their disease.
Rai expressed the concern that the situation would even more dangerous when HIV AIDS victims are not recognized.
Although statistics has shown the lowering rate of HIV transmission in Nepal, about six people contract HIV/AIDS every day in the country. Some 18,000 Nepalis have been living with HIV/ AIDS which could be traced back to 1988 and about 5,000 people have died of AIDS in the country.
There are 36 anti-retro viral treatment centers across the country where some 6,000 HIV/AIDS patients are receiving treatment.
Rishi Ojha from the HIV/AIDS Alliance pointed out that flaws in the government policies that hindered the implementation of anti- HIV/AIDS program in Nepal.
"We demand that there should be amendments in the law that will ensure easy implementation of programs that can be rightly beneficial for the cause," Ojha said.
Jagdish Chandra Pokhrel, chairman of the National Planning Commission, worried that HIV/AIDS services on the grass roots level would not reach the targeted people. "There should be proper analysis and fund disperse in those areas", Pokhrel said.
Although 18,000 Nepalese have been identified as HIV/AIDS victims, but the expected number of HIV/AIDS patient totaled 66, 000 this year, said Dibya Raj Joshi, program support co-ordinator of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Nepal.
