M A I N   N E W S

Monday Special
HIV-positive man is now beacon of life
Ambarish Dutta
Tribune News Service

Patna, January 7
For Kailash Bhagat in his 30s, HIV positive does not mean the end of life. His eyes have sunk. Hairs on the head has become scarce and skin has turned black. But even then Bhagat ,who has been suffering from AIDS since 1996, has emerged as an icon by working relentlessly for people suffering from HIV/AIDS in Bihar, under the banner of the Bihar People Network Living with HIV/AIDS.

The organisation, formed in 2004, fights for the rights of HIV/AIDS patients and also raises awareness against this deadly disease.

Originally a resident of Sitamari, he first tested HIV positive in 1996 on his way to Germany from Thailand. He was working as a cook at a hotel in Thailand.

Conversant in nine languages, Bhagat earlier had attempted to commit suicide twice in the past by consuming heavy doses of sleeping pills.

After his second attempt in early 2000, he remained unconscious in hospital for seven days. “After the abortive bid to end my life for the second time out of frustration, a new realisation dawned on me. I felt that I had a new lease of life and should dedicate this fighting for the cause of HIV/AIDS patients who are considered untouchables due to social stigma attached to the disease”, he said.

Subsequently Bhagat came in touch with another AIDS patient, Rajanish Singh, in 2005.They together established a network of AIDS patients.

His untiring efforts were finally acknowledged by the United Nations AIDS programme (UNAIDS). Representatives from the American Embassy in India also met him recently to support his cause.

Defying death, the undaunted Bhagat opened four offices to help HIV/AIDS patients in Bihar, including one in Patna. ”We are constantly in the process to identify HIV positive victims and fight for their social rights “,he said.

Till date his organisation has helped over 700 HIV/AIDS patients in the state.

Talking to The Tribune, Bhagat said that his organisation was facing fund crisis. ”We are getting some support only from the India People Network Suffering with HIV/AIDS. Of late, discussions are on with UNAIDS and the US for some financial support”, he added.

Bhagat is also pinning his hope on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for financial and other support to serve the HIV/AIDS patients in a better manner. ”The previous RJD regime did not help us at all “, he said.

Bhagat is fully aware that his lifespan is shortlived. But even then it has failed to stop him from dreaming. He now dreams to establish a 1000-bed hospital for HIV/AIDS patients in Bihar before he bids adieu to life.

His fight for justice for the HIV/AIDS patients finally forced the authorities in government hospitals in Patna and other places to treat patients under the same roof which were earlier denied to them.

Going by official estimate, there are 1,078 HIV/AIDS patients in Bihar, who are mostly poor migrant workers. The NGOs working for the cause, however, claim that the figures are underreported.