BIRATNAGAR: Being discriminated by the employers has added insult to the injury of the HIV positive in Morang, who lack proper medical care.

According to Bijaya Basnet, programme coordinator, Richmond Fellowship Nepal, the HIV patients are living a life of misery since they are unemployed and are discriminated against in the society. What's worse, all the money meant for them do not reach them.

According to Jhamak Bhattarai, coordinator, AIDS Coordination Section, DDC Morang, there are 700 HIV-infected in the district. Anup Sapkota of Sunrise Positive Group, however, guessed the number to be between 1,500 and 2,000.

He pointed out that the economic condition of the most infected was poor. "They have difficulties in maintaining daily lives due to the lack of employment," he said, adding that the most urgent need for them was regular treatment. "Despite difficulties, they have been living but will die soon if they are deprived of regular treatment."

"All we've got from the government is Antiretroviral Treatment. Sanjeeb Khadka, former field officer, Morang branch of National HIV/AIDS Federation, said he was unemployed since the programme was over two months ago. Khadka has to look after his wife and mother. Three other female HIV victims are unable to pay their house rentl, let alone buy food.

Most victims in the area pull the rickshaw, assist in public vehicles or work in workshops. Sapkota said the victims do not reveal their identity in fear of losing their job. An HIV victim said he spends two thirds of his daily income of Rs 200 on the family needs and the rest on his treatment.

Seven persons employed by Family Planning Association for Rs 2,000 each month are now jobless since the contract for the programme has been over.

Despite the existence of more than three dozen organisations working for the HIV infected, they have not been able to contribute to them financially.