Untold story of PLHIV

It has been several decades since 1986 when India witnessed its very first case of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Viruses). Even after decades of research, the cure for HIV seems distant. A subgroup of Retrovirus, HIV and its spread has placed India as the third-largest epidemic in the world.

Despite free Antiretroviral treatment and awareness programmes being available, what’s interesting is to find out about the life of the unheard, unreported, and unaware amidst the submerged stir with the reasons behind their low uptake of the treatment.

People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus are also known as PLHIVs. Research suggests that they can live an ordinary life with Antiretroviral drugs and support from society. However, reality seems to differ, often targeted, the lack of sensitivity among people – be it in healthcare, education, and workspace, normalcy remains missing.

The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) 2019 report suggests that the prevalence rate has decreased gradually since 2000. Contradictorily, the International Market Analysis Research and Consulting firm (IMARC) says that HIV drugs may witness sales growth by US$ 26.4 billion in 2020 and more by 2026. While studies clearly show individuals taking treatment from private clinics, reasons for the same attribute to social discrimination and stigmatisation.

The treatment for HIV is expensive. The financially independent people opt for private consultation mechanisms that depict great numbers worldwide. However, others have to depend on Antiretroviral treatment centres controlled by NACO.

While interacting with a few PLHIVs, it became clear that only a few are aware of the seriousness of HIV. Many of them take advantage of the viral replication time and believe no such symptom can impact the physical nature of the body.

There are another set of people who believe in traditional natural medicines and healing through practices that are primarily superstitious and are not properly licensed to practice. Based on previous experiences, they say that many healthcare practitioners are hesitating to treat the PLHIVs in their facilities or charge a whopping 25% increase than their usual rates.

One of them said that a popular orthodontist in the city refused to treat him once he disclosed his HIV status. In another case, a transgender suggested a conventional amputation method for her sexual reassignment surgery even on insisting on an advanced process but was not treated.

Both the above said patients have 100% adherence to their ART medicines and undetectable viral load. Out of many who feel that the healthcare practitioners should treat every patient as a potentially infected patient to prevent them from occupational exposures as well as other patients too.

Workspace and Recruitment scenario also has seen a great aversion to such graduates. Our talks with many showed that they have been denied opportunities based on their pre-employment medical tests. Entry permit to countries such as UAE and Iraq are denied on basis of their HIV status.

Advancements in medical technologies from 1980 to the present have only led to viral load suppression instead of eradication or prevention methods. Although many regimens are discovered for HIV, the existing set of Antiretroviral drugs itself does not provide a guarantee as some of them do not respond to the same.

What’s needed?

People on Antiretroviral drugs may face different issues either physically, psychologically or socially. Implementation of laws that are PLHIV friendly and monitoring initiatives on their rights, might be one of the few methods to set things straight and help them unbox their untold story.

Image credit:expresshealthcare.in