Imphal, May 20: Not everyone would have reacted as Ranjit did when he came to know of his HIV status in July, 1999."I told everyone visiting my sick-bed that I am HIV positive," he says. It was his determination not to be deterred by the situation that made him reveal his status to his friends.

An occasional drug user since 1989, Ranjit was good at Mathematics.

He topped in the subject while graduating from Thoubal College in 1994.After his post graduation from Meerut University in 1996, he aspired to pursue MBA which was however short-lived due to bouts of illness forcing him to stay home.

On doctor's advice he went for the HIV test at RIMS Hospital and was tested positive in July 1999. It was a brief encounter with members of Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) that made him realise importance of providing support systems for HIV positive people, especially at the district level.

Ranjit started renewing contacts with his acquaintances and found that quite a few of them were HIV positive but unable to come out and seek services.

"Fear and a lack of support bound us together," says Ranjit.

Though he initiated the Sugnu network in 2003, Ranjit shifted to Thoubal where he became president of the fledgling district network comprising six members.

The 36 year old also began working as a counsellor at the Positive Living Centre (PLC) under Catholic Relief Service.

"The initial stage was a struggle; some of the members were current users and that discouraged people to join the network.

We had to work to build their confidence to aid them access to support system regardless of their user background.

It was a great relief for many positive and current users to find that the network was accepting them".

Ranjit says responding to the needs of current users who are HIV positive is a challenge since they face double stigma and hence are extremely hesitant to disclose their status.

Ranjit's own experience of drug use made him aware of the need to be persistent with current users and persuade them on the road to rehabilitation rather than give up on them.

Consequently, the Thoubal district network has grown from six members to 400."It has been a long journey.

The challenge is to encourage people to feel confident and infuse them with a sense of well-being," says Ranjit.

The district-level network has brought about changes.

Last December, an HIV positive person who was bedridden, suspended from his Government job, and separated from his wife, sought help from the network.

His family had little hope of his survival.

Though his parents admitted his HIV status to the network, the fear of social boycott was high.

They did not want to come to the network office or seek services.

They also requested network members not to visit them frequently.

It was a difficult time but through a number of pre-arranged visits the network was able to convince the family to access ARV treatment and other services.

Alongside, the positive person's wife was counselled and encouraged to initiate ARV treatment.

"It was a proud moment for all of us in the network when he reunited with his wife and he was reinstated to his job," says Ranjit.

Moments such as these convince Ranjit and other network members of the need to work in remote districts and hill areas.

In Thoubal and other remote areas of the State, many HIV positive people are afraid of seeking services for fear of stigma.

Ranjit says, "We understand their situation.

However, we have to convince them that being part of the network will give them a lot of social support and encouragement apart from the obvious benefits such as updated information on medicines and health care.

Our primary goal is to encourage people to feel supported and cared about so that they can seek services".

Participating in the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day in Imphal, Ranjit is optimistic that the four-day event beginning today will ensure a more supportive environment from the general public through their participation.

This according to Ranjit will encourage more HIV positive people to shake of their fears and come forward.

The Candlelight Memorial is observed in memory of those who have died of HIV/AIDS.

In Imphal, the event will conclude with a musical concert 'Candle Rock' on the last day.

Cultural troupes and popular local artistes will perform.

A band comprising HIV positive people called 'Positive Brothers' will also perform.

Ranjit, is president of the MNP+ District Level Network, Thoubal.

He is also the District Network Officer of the ACT (Access to Care and Treatment) Project under the Global Fund for Treatment of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).

Comment