NO DIGNITY IN LIFE, AND DEATH

AIZAWL: In Mizoram, a misplaced belief has robbed HIV-positive people
of dignity even in death. AIDS victims here are being buried in
polythene bags, apparently to prevent the virus from leaving the
corpse in search of a healthy body.

Calling the practice a 'disgrace', Mizoram People Living with AIDS
Society (MPLAS) president Malsawmdawnga said: "There are instances of
people being buried with their bodies wrapped in polythene bags. This
is really humiliating."

He added that like others, HIV-positive people too want to live and
die with dignity, without any discrimination or hatred. According to
government figures, Mizoram, a predominantly Christian state, has
1,352 HIV-positive people. Unofficial estimates, however, peg the
number at 5,000.

"HIV does not spread as easily as Hepatitis B, although those dying
of Hepatitis B are given normal burials," said Malsawmdawnga.

The government-run Mizoram AIDS Control Society admitted that such
incidents are taking place, but said that awareness about the disease
has increased.

"Awareness level about HIV/AIDS is about 83% in the state although we
need deeper knowledge rather than being simply aware of the
consequences," said K Ropari, head of the AIDS Control Society. But
statistics don't reflect the ground realities.

"Though instances of burial in polythene bags still happen, but
compared to the last two years, the practice has reduced
significantly," said Vanlalmuana, general secretary of Positive
Network of Mizoram, an NGO formed by HIV/AIDS victims.

"Aizawl has learned that stigmatisation of HIV/AIDS patients does not
help. In Aizawl, we are accepted by the society, but there are many
horror tales from rural areas," Vanlalmuana added.

"Landlords evict people the moment they learn of their tenants'
HIV-positive status. There are some localities where people refuse to
accept bodies of those who have died of AIDS," Vanlalmuana said,
adding, "people living with HIV/AIDS here continue to face
discrimination at every step."

The two organisations of HIV-positive people even slammed doctors and
hospital staff. "HIV-positives are treated as outcasts.

Even family members and close relatives discriminate against the
HIV-positives," said a college student, who recently tested positive.
"I am not going to reveal my HIV-positive status to my family, or I
too will be thrown out," he confided.

In this state of just 890,000 people, sharing of needles by
intravenous drug users has been cited as the primary reason for the
alarming rise in HIV cases.

The plight of HIV-infected people has become more serious, with
self-styled vigilante groups taking law into their hands to punish
drug addicts and drug-traffickers, leading to at least half-a-dozen
deaths in the last one year.

"People have failed to understand the problem of AIDS and are
equating it with drug addiction and punishing them in public,"
another HIV positive youth complained.

The Mizoram AIDS Control Society said it is trying to sensitise
people across the state to be compassionate towards people with HIV/AIDS.

"Stigma does not really help in fighting the disease. The need is to
be aware and sensitive to the problem," said Betty L, an anti-AIDS campaigner.