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Although India was one of the first nations to respond to the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, misperceptions and stigmas about the disease have been a large barrier to controlling the spread of the virus. Because of India’s traditional social norms and rigid socioeconomic status, issues of HIV/AIDS and sexuality are taboo within society (UNAIDS- India). AIDS is viewed as a disease of the “others” and those who are infected are thought by many to lead “perverted” and “sinful” lives. In fact, one study found that 36% of the Indian population believed that those with the disease should kill themselves and 34% stated that they would not associate with someone who had AIDS. Twenty percent believed that AIDS was a punishment from God (avert.org). These negative attitudes make those with the virus anxious and hesitant to ask for help. They are embarrassed to admit their status, and thus in many cases do not receive proper treatment. In reference to India, UNAIDS stated in 2001, "There is an almost hysterical kind of fear at all levels, starting from the humblest, the sweeper or the ward boy, up to the heads of departments, which make them pathologically scared of having to deal with an HIV positive patient. Wherever they have an HIV patient, the responses are shameful." Although the government has tried to educate the public about the disease to dispel misperceptions and stigmas that surround it, this effort has been a challenge. India’s extremely large population, combined with its low literacy rate, has made educational awareness initiatives difficult. India’s many languages and local dialects have also made it hard to educate on a national level. The lack of successful education about the disease, combined with a traditional society that will not openly discuss issues of sexuality, has helped to reinforce the stigmas and misperceptions that exist about HIV/AIDS. Impact of HIV Although less than 1% of the population is infected, because of India’s large population it means that more than 5 million Indians are living with the disease. Indians generally believe that AIDS only affects the marginalized parts of the population, but this is not the case. The spread of HIV within the country has been diverse; it has affected all sectors of society. AIDS strikes those in the most productive age groups and is fatal without antiretroviral treatment. Therefore, the disease has affected the workplace. Staff illnesses, absentees, and death negatively affect productivity. Occupational health and safety are also affected and workplace morale becomes low. AIDS affects economic output and strains the economy while medical care costs, drugs, and funeral expenses pile up. AIDS also leaves many children parentless and these orphans must be provided for as well. In 2001 it was estimated that 1.2 million children were left orphaned because of AIDS in India. (Avert.org) Government Response and Access Although the Indian government was one of the first nations to understand the gravity of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, AIDS prevention, treatment, and education has been an uphill battle. In 1987, the government launched the National AIDS Control Program to generate public awareness about the issue. This program introduced blood screening clinics, education and awareness initiatives; made condoms available; and created clinical services for those infected. However, because of a lack of resources, many of these services are still inadequate. In 2002, an estimated 600,000 PLWHAs (people living with HIV/AIDS) were in need of antiretroviral therapy in India, yet less than 30,000 Indians were actually receiving it (UN Epidemiological Fact Sheet on HIV and AIDS-India). In reaction, the government launched a national antiretroviral program in hospitals in 2004. However, because of the size of the country, it has been difficult to distribute facilities to all necessary areas. Another problem facing HIV/AIDS treatment in India is the high costs of antiretroviral medication. Although India is one of the main producers of generic antiretroviral drugs, they are still only affordable to a small fraction of the population. The director of the HIV/AIDS program at Human Rights Watch writes, “It is a sad irony that India is one of the biggest producers of the drugs that have transformed the lives of people with AIDS in wealthy countries. But for millions of Indians, access to these medicines is a distant dream." Education about the disease poses certain difficulties as well. Because of Indian society’s traditional social norms, it is difficult to discuss openly issues relating to sexuality such as HIV/AIDS. Although the government encourages NGOs to educate about HIV/AIDS, those that do are often harassed for their work and the government does little to stop this (Human Rights Watch). One outreach worker said, “We are always accused of being sex workers. The police don’t listen. They beat us in the street itself.” In 2003, the Indian health minister stated that the focus of AIDS prevention should be “on abstinence and faith,” rather than on condoms. However, to promote effective prevention it is important to educate about safe sex as well. Scale Although India’s HIV prevalence rate is below 1%, because of the country’s
large population it has the second largest number of cases in the world (after
South Africa). Many areas of the country still lack testing centers, so the
extent of the epidemic might be underreported. Some statistics to illustrate
the severity of AIDS within the country follow. Local NGO profile: Positive Women Network Created in 1998, the Positive Women Network is a self-help organization of infected women who are trying to improve the quality of life for those infected in India. The Positive Women Network tries to end ignorance of and discrimination against those with the virus. They do so by providing counseling services, support groups, awareness programs, and advocating for the rights of those infected with the disease. Facts and Resources about AIDS in India *Human Rights Watch Report: "Epidemic of Abuse, Police Harassment of HIV/AIDS Outreach Workers in India" *USAID Article: "Tackling AIDS in India: the Vulnerability of Women and Girls" *CNN Article: "AIDS and the Young in India" *CBS News: "AIDS Out of Control in India" *India Times Article: "Will Watching Porn get me AIDS?" * UNAIDS Publications on AIDS in India *National AIDS Control Organization *Press Release; UNAIDS and the Government of India Join Forces to Combat HIV in Uniformed Services *"Indian Inquiry
over 'HIV Patient'"
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