Working relentlessly for HIV community since March, Struha an NGO recently celebrated the marriage of two HIV infected individuals

~ Not only does the ten bed centre offer a short stay for the HIV patient to recover from infections, but it has even celebrated the marriage of two HIV infected individuals on November 10.

For Rama, a commercial sex worker for ten years, getting infected with HIV meant lack of a daily income from prostitution. The brothel keeper too chucked her out and suffering from an opportunistic infection, it was Struha that provided medical relief. Little did Rama know that she would meet her better half at the community care centre.

Ravi (name changed) was a widower and infected with HIV. He had loose motions and had visited the community centre for a short stay. Says Abhay Pawar, "One day I saw Ravi crying and tried to talk to him. He was bitter about his loneliness and disease. I convinced him about the use of anti retroviral treatment (ART) and how one can live positively with HIV. A couple of days later I saw Ravi and Rama talking animatedly and after Ravi recovered, he came back to the centre to meet her. Their relationship blossomed at Struha and the counselors and doctors too supported the love match," smiles Pawar. Struha even helped the love-struck couple find a small place to stay and got them married on November 10.

Struha basically functions as a care centre for all HIV patients who suffer or contract various opportunistic infections. "They can come and rest here, avail of the medical facilities and tests. Those who can afford the cost of X’Rays are charged concessional rates," says Pawar.

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