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HIV positive kids barred from school

As the country is organizing various programs to mark the International AIDS day, a newspaper report has said that an HIV positive from Churiyamai area of Hetauda has not been able to get admission in a school or been given shelter in a Children’s Home at Bhimphedi.

Kamal Tamang (name changed), was rejected from admission in school merely due to the infection.

They rejected Kamal’s mother's repeated pleas to provide admission in the school and shelter at the children home saying he might transfer the infection to others, The Himalayan Times daily reported.

Another five-year-old Rabindra Lama (name changed), also an HIV positive, has also been denied access to school.

The paper quoted chairperson of the Makawanpur Women’s group, Radhika Adhikari as saying that they have recorded 15 children like Kamal and Rabindra in Makawanpur district, who have been denied access to school for being HIV positive.

However, four HIV positive children have got admission in schools after tireless efforts from social workers.

The paper also quoted Makawanpur district education officer Ram Bilas Roy as saying that the office cannot pressurise schools to grant admission to any student.

Chief District Officer (CDO) Mod Raj Dotel, also the coordinator of the district children’s welfare panel, said concrete plans are needed to address the problems related with HIV/AIDS.

Social stigma and ignorance related with HIV/AIDS has affected people more than the infection itself.

Though the country marked the International AIDS day on December 1 with various programs and good speeches and commitments, many HIV positive patients are still spending a very painful life in absence of basic awareness in the society about the infection. nepalnews.com pb Dec 05 05