Kathmandu, November 30:

The nation wakes up to the grim reality of HIV+ patients on the World AIDS Day, to be observed tomorrow.

Surveys suggest that the offspring of AIDS victims are leading a wretched life.

Despite more than 700 NGO and INGO’s involvement and huge donors’ assistance, these children are largely left to fend for themselves. Perhaps, even one per cent of the budget allocated to alleviate their misery doesn’t reach them. Consequently, most are compelled to abandon their studies after their parents’ premature demise.

A survey - jointly carried out by Save the Children Norway (SCN) and Social Volunteer against the lethal HIV+ scourge - in Doti and Achham districts in the far-west bears out the sordid tale. Altogether, 846 children became orphans in these districts.

Of these, 516 have no option but to support themselves.

Another survey, conducted by CRIHPA and SCN, reveals the plight of orphans in Accham, which is considered to have the largest number of HIV+ patients in the country.

According to a government estimate, more than 500 people have contracted the disease in Accham alone. Most of the voluntary organisations plead helplessness.

“We have failed to address the problem due to lack of effective programmes,” said Noor Pant, AIDS advisor, SCN.

HIV+ children are believed to be the worst affected. Experts argued that campaigns alone wouldn’t be able to alleviate the patients’ plight.