Woman 'wrongly' branded as HIV-AIDS infected in Odisha

A woman has been wrongly branded as HIV-AIDS infected person in an official list in Odisha, a senior medical official said today.
A 40-year-old widow from Rajnagar had to experience the worst nightmare of her life when her name figured in the list of HIV/AIDS carriers on official records though tested negative.
Medical Officer, Rajnagar Community Health Centre, Bhakti Deepak Pattnaik said, "the widow who is enlisted as an AIDS patient in block office record is not actually an infected person. Though her husband died of AIDS, she tested negative with her two children".
The block employees should be careful while recording such information as maintenance of confidentiality is a must with regard to the disease and its carriers, he said.

Meanwhile, the slipup has left the victim traumatised.
"Destiny has played a cruel joke on me. I was shattered after my husband died of AIDS. I am equally upset as I am listed officially as AIDS patient. This is unfortunate. Those who have enlisted me should realise that AIDS victims suffer discrimination," she (name withheld) rued.

Officials of Rajnagar block had earlier found themselves in a tight spot for revealing the identity of HIV-AIDS carriers. The exposure made by Rajnagar block administration has sparked off a controversy.
Rajnagar Block officials recently released the list of 49 beneficiaries for free housing scheme under 'Mo Kudia Jojana'. The list contained among others the name of six HIV-AIDS carriers. The beneficiaries' list was boldly displayed for public on the notice board.

An HIV patient has every right to conceal his or her status because of the stigma and discrimination attached to the disease. Thus it is arbitrary and unethical to reveal the identity of such infected persons, according to activists.
"An HIV-positive person can suppress identity and use a pseudonym in order to protect from discrimination. The Supreme Court has also ruled in favour of it," said Biraja Prasad Pati, an activist involved in AIDS eradication programme.