A 35-year-old HIV positive woman from Munnuru village, who lost her husband 10 years ago, said her application for the allotment of a land site had been turned down by the local municipality after she revealed her health condition.
“The official bluntly said that I am not entitled to any allotment,” the woman said, with tears rolling down her cheeks. She got the same response at the office of the Deputy Commissioner.
“As soon as we reveal our condition, we are discriminated against,” said a 28-year-old woman, who added she had experienced this at hospitals. “I have stopped going to the hospital when I am ill. There have been several occasions when I have forced my husband to get me discharged early,” she said.
HIV-infected patients revealed their experiences of discrimination before the Minister for Health and Family Welfare U.T. Khader during an interaction held at the Prajna Counselling Centre on Saturday.
A 35-year-old woman, who has lost her husband, said eight days back Mangalore City Corporation officials bluntly refused a licence to construct a house saying that she has come from another part of the State. A 50-year-old man spoke about his plight over the delay by MCC to release funds to build a house.
Another HIV-infected woman said that the rice given to them at the ration shop was not fit for consumption and that HIV-positive patients have not been told about their diet. Another woman expressed the need for monthly pension.
Mr. Khader said from next month the government will be providing a single-window agency for HIV-infected persons to avail benefits — ration cards, housing and education. The AIDS Prevention and Control Unit in each district will receive applications and correspond with the respective departments.
The Minister said the Department was finalising a healthy diet plan and added that disciplinary action will be taken against officials who discriminate against HIV-infected persons. He would also organise a meeting of HIV-infected persons with the Deputy Commissioner and other district officials in January.
