Asia-Pacific

HIV/AIDS, TB pose threat to tribes in heartland India

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-15 14:57

BASTAR, India - In the mountains of Abujmarh, in the districts of Narainpur, Bijapur and Dantewara live the Maria tribals of Bastar origin. This 3,900-square-kilometer tract of closed region shelters about 6,000 people in some 190 villages.

However, the tribal-dominated region is at risk of AIDS prevalence due to poor awareness and backwardness.

It may further snowball into tuberculosis-HIV co-infection. No surprise, TB still causes most deaths in Chhattisgarh.

It is more so because Chhattisgarh shares its geographical borders with Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Orrisa, which are high AIDS prevalence states.

The jungle here is rich in medicinal plants and herbs, but the medicines made from these never reach the inhabitants of the jungle -- the tribals. The inhabitants of the jungle is not part of the market because they have no money.

If the ailing people do not have money, their only cure is death.

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"The local administration is not concerned with human life; it is there to sell contracts -- contracts for exploiting jungles, for mining, building roads and hospitals," said S.K. Sagar, a teacher in a nearby village.

State Tuberculosis Officer Dr. D.S. Sonwani says that essential efforts should be enforced for prevention of TB and AIDS in the region.

"Tuberculosis and HIV may result into a deadly co-epidemic. The HIV and AIDS are the greatest risk factor for the development of active TB and fuels a resurgence of the TB epidemic in areas of high HIV prevalence," Sonwani adds.

"Besides coordination of TB and HIV resources, there is a need to strengthen prevention and care networks to sustain TB-HIV services, particularly to improve access to early treatment and care for the HIV-infected," said Dr. Mahindra Pal, formerly associated with AIDS Society. ?

The state health department is likely to enter into understanding with the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) soon for the third phase of implementation of AIDS control programs.

The department believes that control efforts over the linkage between TB and HIV and AIDS would then be also seen at the operational levels.

"As of now the fact remains that the state of Chhattisgarh is yet to initiate its serious preparation to meet the frightening challenge of HIV syndrome and its association with TB in Chhattisgarh, particularly the tribal areas," said Pal.