LIFE AND HEALTH

HIV-AIDS AND THE TIBETAN COMMUNITY TIME TO ACT
By Dr. Kunchok Dorjee

I was walking up the lane one fine Sunday morning when I overheard a group discussing nearby, “I heard there are many cases of HIV in Dharamsala, we got to be careful”. I continue to walk when not long past, the bold headings of numerous pamphlets stuck on a wall caught my eye: “USE CONDOM”, “LETS WALK WITH CONDOM”, “SAFE SEX”……………..and it ran on. Definitely awareness is growing. But I feel the casually remarked “many cases of HIV in Dharamsala” needs a little scrutiny. Nevertheless, the irony that the numbers are rising despite growing awareness definitely illustrates the gravity of the situation, a cause for concern and the urgent need to act. 

With over 25 million dead and more expected to die, the elusive and potentially contagious routes of its transmission, the failure to come up with a cure yet and its tendency to affect the bereaved nations all the more and the poor affordability of the existing Antiretroviral drugs; all explains why HIV-AIDS is one of the leading causes of mortality around the world. It is estimated that one person dies of HIV-AIDS related problem every 6.4 seconds with the annual death from HIV projected to rise from the current 2.8 million to nearly 120 million people by year 2030.  Worst hit being the African nations followed by the Asian countries. In view of the growing current rate of its spread, this global pandemic is set to stir a global panic not long from now.

How prone is Tibetan community? Are cases of HIV rising in our society? Is Tibetan community at large aware of its seriousness and the consequences? How does our society react to an individual with HIV? How is the situation in Tibet? Are we acting? A retrospective study and analysis of the situation brings me to some inferences.  

HIV knows no boundaries. It is gradually creeping into our community. The cases so far have been seen to stem from unprotected sex and needle sharing amongst the intravenous drug users. Heterosexual route of transmission has so far been the commonest. Other documented modes of spread being homosexuality, unprotected oral sex, needle sharing between drug users, infected blood transfusion, from mother to baby – during pregnancy as well as via breast milk.   

Despite growing awareness about HIV-AIDS, ignorance still looms large in our community. The last few years have seen the figures rise. The situation in Tibet needs to be further analyzed and looked into. Deliberate deprivation of modern education, ignorance about sex education, legalization and promotion of alcoholism and drugs and prostitution in Tibet by the Chinese authorities unmask the heinous motive of the Chinese Government to completely root out our existence.  The campaigns by the Department of Health and the NGOs to create awareness have no doubt helped but more needs to be done.  The campaigns should be perennial, sex education needs to be introduced and promoted in schools and societies. Vulnerable targets like those in the army should be reached out and educated. The pregnant women require screening and education. The drug addicts should be helped. A collective and united effort can certainly render our community free of HIV.  

Last but not the least, lets all extend every possible support to anybody living and struggling with HIV.  You can be the guiding star to the lone sailor in a cracking ship tossed around in the dark sea by the turbulent waves, battling every moment with the incessant fear of impending doom lurking round the corner.

He is Medical Doctor at Delek Hospital, DharamsalaNote: Please check TIBETODAY's January issue to read whole story with the images.