Socio-Economic Impact of HIV and AIDS in Tamil nadu

Box 2
Case Study 2: From riches to rags physically,
financially and emotionally
This is the story of one Mr. X, a resident
of Trichy in Tamil Nadu. He was a hard
worker engaged as a truck driver and
earned, on an average, about Rs. 500
per day, for 15-18 days a month. He
was able to maintain his family i.e.
his wife and two sons comfortably.
However, about four to five years ago
he became addicted to wine, women
and smoking and finally ended up with
HIV infection.
Thereafter, within a short span
of time he became ill and started
suffering from fever, cough and
diarrhoea continuously and lost a lot
of weight. When he underwent the
recommended blood test he came
to know he was HIV-positive. His
immediate reaction was to end his
life. However, he controlled himself,
thinking of others who survived the
epidemic. Later, he decided to live as
long as possible for the sake of his
family, resolving to take the doctor’s
advice, stay on the medicines given
and keep himself fit.
However, in the last three years he
has been hospitalised three times. Not
only were all his savings spent on the
hospital charges and medicines, but
he also had to dispose of his wife’s
jewellery and in addition, had to borrow
money from others. He was also
forced to change his accommodation
twice for he could not afford the rent
and is presently living in a semi-pucca
one room accommodation with no
separate kitchen or water tap and for
which he is paying a rent of Rs. 550
per month. Water is fetched from a
common tap for which they have to
pay an additional sum of Rs. 50 per
month. They have now shifted to using
a kerosene stove; his wife cooks for
her sister’s family and in return, shares
their food. They share a toilet with
another family.
Mr. X’s wife and children are not HIVpositive.
During the last three years
of financial struggle, his eldest son
had to give up his studies after twelth
class, and had to take up a job to earn
money and help support the family.
He feels that he has been denied his
education and that his future is bleak
because of his father’s mistakes.
He always questions in what way
he is responsible for his father’s
infection and inability to work when
all his friends are going to college and
getting an education. Because of this
his relation with his father is strained.
He seldom talks to his father but still
manages to convey his lack of respect
and displeasure very often.
The second son who is also a good
student and is presently studying in
class X also wants to study further.
The two sons and Mr. X’s wife feel
that Mr. X alone is responsible for
all the misfortunes that the family is
facing and give vent to their feelings.
Mr. X has changed in the last three
years since he came to know about
his HIV-positive status. He has given
up liquor, smoking and sex. Although
he is presently in the 3 rd stage of the
infection, he realises his responsibility
to his family and is trying his best to
earn his keep. He is now employed
as a driver with someone and earns
about Rs. 1,500 per month. He is
ever ready to do overtime and is also
involved in a small side business of
buying and selling of two wheelers for
commission.
Mr. X tries to remain calm and unruffled
by his family’s behaviour. He leaves the
house at 7:30 in the morning, returns
only after 8:30, has his dinner and
goes to bed. For all his repentance and
changed way of life, it is now too late
to turn back the clock.
Annexures
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