The HIV/AIDS pandemic affects the mentally disabled just as much or more than the normal population. This fact is not realized by the general public and since the mentally disabled cannot speak for themselves, they continue to be sexually abused and violated in many inhumane ways. This maltreatment exposes them to a very high risk of STI and HIV infections. The sexual abuse also leads to unwanted pregnancies and children. The general belief that the mentally disabled cannot get HIV/AIDS makes them centers of transmission.
KSMH works in this area of prevention. Primarily, it informs and educates parents and caregivers about dangers of spread of HIV/AIDS through the mentally disabled and gives them strategies for better protection of PWMD. Secondly, KSMH also educates the mild and moderate cases of mental disabilities on prevention methods.
KSMH fills a major gap in provision of services to PWMD by the government through its work of identifying cases of HIV infections through its helpline. The suspected cases are then assisted in getting right services for diagnosis and access to ART.
KSMH working in different areas of HIV/AIDS: The pictures above show workshops where people are trained for advocacy in HIV/AIDS prevention. At the bottom left, parents are informed about dangers of HIV/AIDS. On the bottom right: counseling of a parent of an infected child at KSMH offices.
HIV/AIDS Program for persons with Mental Disabilities (PWMD)
View Supported Access to HIV/AIDS Services for PWMD Brochure (PDF version) click any of the links below to download/view/print the brochure
