Food, medicines & education for 45 HIV+ve orphans

Manjula aged 19 yrs. was brought to Freedom Foundation in January 2010, she lost her father in the year 2003 and mother in December 2009 for AIDS. Her elder brother and sister were negative and stayed with their uncle. Manjula and her younger brother who were HIV positive were admitted to Freedom Foundation by their uncle.

She was in follow up with IGH only for ART and the other treatments were given by HIV specialists who are linked with FF.

Her CD4 was dropping down since March 2014 and started often falling sick towards the end of 2014 she had been continuously treated for cold, chest congestion, cough and fever, but dint recover fully. She was infected with TB and started with ATT treatment from 10^th Jan 2015. But even with this, her health and CD4 did not improve

All these health issues were continuously discussed with doctors at IGH but we dint receive a proper response. The only response we got is that they will discuss with NACO and get back to us. So FF decided and did the viral load test in May 2015. The result showed very high which was an indication that the present medication is not working. To decide the next suitable drug, did the drug resistance test. The results were showing high-level resistance to all 1^st line & 2^nd line regimens. The same was discussed with the FF doctors and also with doctors at IGH. From IGH, we received the same response to wait and her conditions were becoming bad day by day. So FF doctors decided to change the regimen. The main challenge for FF was to bear the cost as this medicine is not available with govt. As we dint have a second option, she was started with 3^rd line regimen. Another major challenge was to convince the doctors of IGH but since they were aware of the condition, they agreed and suggested to continue the medication with the support of FF till they get the particular medicine from govt. sector.

Academic challenges:

Due to continuous sickness, she had missed most of her classes and nearly two month classes (in Feb & March 2015) before her 10^th board exams. In regard to this, FF staff visited the schools, discussed with teachers and principal regarding her health condition and need for rest. She studied from home for her 10^th exams and lots of efforts were taken to motivate her to read regularly at home with all difficulties (Physically and psychologically) and get through in her board exam. Again she had missed one month classes in her I PU (in July 2015) and it was a great challenge for FF to convince the college authorities regarding her health condition as she had to take a long leave just at the beginning of her college.

Now with this medication much improvement is seen her CD4 is slowly increasing other infections are reducing.