One HIV+ child, many HIV orphans find new parents

Pune Five years ago, when the Shah family from Thane adopted an HIV-positive child from Society of Friends of Sassoon Hospital (SOFOSH) in Pune, those working in the adoption agency thought the tide had finally turned. But that first adoption remains the last from any such agency.

What is raising fresh hopes is the trend of families adopting children of HIV-positive mothers. Over the past 10 years SOFOSH has successfully placed for adoption 103 children, born of HIV-positive mothers but themselves HIV-negative.

“Also significant is that unlike earlier, when only foreign couples would go for such adoptions, in the last 3-4 years local or NRI parents have taken this step,” said Madhuri Abhyankar, SOFOSH director, who reads this as a change in acceptance level.

Bhartiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK) has seen about 25-30 adoptions of children of HIV-positive mothers in the last few years. “The major concern adoptive parents have is that the child should not contract AIDS later. That’s when our doctor explain to them that if the child is ELISA positive but tests PRC negative at age 18 months, it means he or she is like any other normal child. If anyone wants to take a second medical opinion we encourage them to do so. Once the family doctor says the same thing, the hesitation goes,” said Maina Shetty, assistant BSSK director.

No child’s medical history is hidden from adoptive parents. “Every month we have parent preparation workshops where remaining doubts are cleared,” Abhyankar said.

Many children come from hospitals after the death of their HIV-positive mothers; many other afflicted mothers on their own give up their child after delivery.

Do parents tell the adopted child his or her mother’s health history? “That stage is coming now. The first such children who went for adoption from our home are nearing about 9-10 years of age now. This is when parents usually tell them that they are adopted which in itself is a big step. Adding the HIV information will call for sensitive handling. We are working with parents on how best to do that,” said Sangeeta Pawar, SOFOSH adoption coordinator.