| In
Nepal HIV/AIDS cases increased tremendously in
spite of the involvement of many national and
international organization for controlling and
preventing of infection . Millions of rupees have
been spent every year to control, prevent, treate
or care of the problem of HIV/AIDS.
We know the first HIV/AIDS cases were reported
in Nepal in 1988. Where as in other part of the
world first AIDS case was identified in 1980. In
the milestone of HIV/AIDS cases "national
center for AIDS and STDS control established in
1993, as an institution permanently under the
organization of Ministry of Health. The then,
His Majesty's Government realized the seriousness
of the problem of HIV/AIDS and formulated the
HIV/AIDS and STD policy in 1995. HIV/AIDS control
activity was included in national planning and
allocated the budget by HMG besides the financial
support from international organization to implement
the activity for prevention and control for HIV/AIDS
and STD. In the beginning, many non governmental
organization had focused their activity on "Awareness" of secret problem
but couldn’t succeed." stigma"
still persists at all level .
Though policy mentioned by the government is clearly
absent the non-discrimination of HIV/AIDS an all
places. For the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS
activity was carried out by multisectoral approach
on the basis of decentralization from center to
district level. During that time " National
Coordination Committee" from at higher level
and "District Coordination Committee "
at the district level to implement monitoring
and supervising of HIV/AIDS and STD (S.T.I) prevention
and control activity with the coordination of
GO, NGO and NGO'S for the process of policy regulation
and reporting of HIV/AIDS national center for
AIDS and STD (NCASC) was focal point. NCASC leadership
became unstable due to frequent changes couldn’t
be implemented HIV/AIDS control program according
to the strategic plan. Due to ignorance there
was difficulty to understand the seriousness of
the problem of HIV/AIDS the international organization
supporting the NGO to carry their activity against
HIV/AIDS continued their activity was limited
and couldn’t fulfill the need of the people
living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) policy regulation
and strategic plan to control HIV/AIDS failed
due to lack of commitment by leaders at the center
the center couldn’t visualized the ultimate
affect of HIV/AIDS. So implementation of HIV/AIDS
control activity became week.
The UN system developed the fund i.e. "Global
Fund" to support the HIV/AIDS control activity.
The global fund was not under control of HMG.
The budget of that fund misutilized and spent
according to the interest of UN agency. The transmission
of HIV infection couldn’t be controlled.
The epidemically of HIV/AIDS became threat to
the country.
As the case reported at the national center for
AIDS and STD control, Teku up to sept. 2006.
Among the cumulative HIV/AIDS
situations
HIV positive case
Male -5574
Female-2320
Total-7894
AIDS cases
Male -850
Female-321
Total-1171
According to NCASC report
approximately 100 cases are reported every month.
The surveillance report also suggests that HIV/AIDS
cases are increasing. The project cases on HIV/AIDS
are around 60-70 thousand in Nepal.
The
cumulative HIV infection
Among Sex worker
Female -638
Among sex STDS
Male -3573
Female-103
Total-3856
Among IDU'S
Male -1608
Female -26
Total-1634
Housewife-1435
Children
Male-193
Female-113
Total-306
The major mode
of transmission for HIV/AIDS is heterosexual through
unsafe sexual behavior, in some extent transmitted
through IDU'S either by sharing the needles or
by sexual contact. They are more harmful to the
society. Mostly the youngsters are involved in
IDU'S.
As a whole in reported cases 20-40 years of age
groups are infected with HIV/AIDS. They are sexually
active so dangerous for transmission of HIV infection.
Moreover they are most productive age group for
the society, if affected with HIV/AIDS to create
the serious problem for the development of the
country.
The temporary migrations are also playing the
role to increase the HIV infection because the
migrant workers are vulnerable for HIV/AIDS. The
study shows about 50% workers knowingly or unknowingly
indulge in sex industry or keep sexual relation
during that period. In western part of the country,
youngsters are going to India for their livelihood.
The conflict situation of the country youngsters
are going outside the country. More than millions
of workers are only going to Middle East or other
foreign countries in search of job.
No doubt the girls trafficking are also the predisposing
factor for HIV/AIDS in Nepal. There are problem
for rehabilitation when they come back.
Now this is high time to think seriously by the
government of Nepal most and show the commitment
on HIV/AIDS and STDs prevention and control. There
are example of Zimbabwe and Bosnia where HIV/AIDS
are creating problems as a whole in the development. Therefore, Ministry of Health there are challenge
to control and prevention of HIV/AIDS in coordination
with NGO and INGO with sectoral approach.
There is
still challenge to the country about the need
of the "People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
and implement the according focused towards them
early as possible for prevention, treatment care
and support services. Then only we are able to
control HIV/AIDS and fulfill the UN message on
the occasion of World's AIDS Day "Stop Aids"
"Keep Promises"
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