Children who courageously live positively
The estimated 13,000-plus children in Nepal who are already living with and affected by HIV. But to be an HIV-positive child is not nearly as dire as it once was. As we have been seeing with adults infected with the virus, controlling HIV in young patients has dramatically improved in recent years. Approximately a decade ago, a pediatric HIV diagnosis was associated with a dismal prognosis: most infected children would die before their fifth birthday. Today, thanks to early access to care and advances in HIV drug treatment, approximately half of all HIV-infected children will live to enter and graduate from school. And with more information quickly emerging with respect to how HIV-infected children should be treated, we can expect the success rate to improve significantly.
Caring for a child who is HIV positive comes with many challenges. We sincerely hope that the learnings will enable the health workers and communities better understand children and HIV, but also to enhance communication with pediatric health care providers.
Strengthening family's livelihood base would also reduce the impact of the epidemic. Children support for nutritious food, education ,access to treatment, emotional support and helping communities to care for sick and vulnerable children remain a priority.
Pray for children living positively during this winter season as we envision a world where children and families can live free of HIV infection and in which families that are affected by HIV and AIDS can live positively and productively without stigma and discrimination
