(un)Disclosure

Thane update:

Given the vicious stigma surrounding HIV - and the fear and confusion most people have when they find out - it is not surprising that we continue to meet people with HIV who have not told their families that they have it. Last Friday we reviewed some of these - In the last 2 weeks we met a number of new contacts affected by HIV. Each one is different. Here is one story in progress:

Mr. Tarun (name changed as usual) has come to Mumbai for better prospects. He works at a dairy - looking after water buffaloes (prized for their creamy milk). His 5 children are with him - as is his wife. He has HIV and has known about this for 3 years. He still has not told his wife.

We have just made contact with Mr. Tarun. Our staff will now try to meet him regularly and build his confidence. He promised to bring his wife to the JSK centre - in order to disclose his HIV status to her and have pre-test counselling for her. They were to come this week - but did not show up.

Our staff will be visiting Mr. Tarun... (to be continued - we hope)