Lucknow, Dec 1: In a heartening development, over 500 individuals living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in Uttar Pradesh have expressed interest in marriage, initiating the necessary paperwork for the process.
D Himanshu, head of the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Centre at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), where marriage aspirants with HIV are registered, stated, “Marriage among HIV-positive individuals is not a common occurrence. Yet, we have facilitated 65 marriages among otherwise healthy HIV-positive patients.”
Vimlesh Kumar, state coordinator of Uttar Pradesh Welfare for People Living with HIV/AIDS Society (UPNPplus), the advocacy group operating in the state, explained the process. “We circulate biodata that is picked up by interested men or women. Families meet, discussing factors like age, height, income, and education. If all goes well, the marriage is finalized.”
Before sharing biodata, UPNPplus conducts viral load and CD4 count tests (used to assess the immune system’s health in HIV-infected individuals) to confirm the health of the potential bride or groom.
“Between April and October this year, 24 marriages were solemnized among PLHIV across Uttar Pradesh,” said Kumar.
Once the wedding date is set, the couple undergoes counseling on family planning and maintaining good behavior in family life.
“Transparency between the two persons getting married is crucial. This openness contributes to an improved quality of life after marriage,” added Kumar.
Currently, the state has 1,12,204 PLHIV on ART, while the estimated number of people living with HIV is 1.94 lakh. From April to the present, 5,873 males, 3,142 females, 47 transgender individuals, 264 male children, and 187 female children have been registered for HIV care.
Doctors emphasize the dual benefits of marriage among PLHIV – reducing the risk of infection transmission and enabling individuals with HIV to lead a normal family life. With proper guidance and medical support, newborns from HIV-positive parents can remain HIV negative.
“Tests are conducted at birth, and medicine is given to keep the newborn HIV negative,” stated Suman Shukla of King George’s Medical University Antiretroviral Therapy Centre.
