By Sanju Poudel | Project Leader
Thirteen year old “Muna” was orphaned when she was barely three years old. She was living with a relative until recently when her health started deteriorating.
Her grandmother brought Muna to a hospital in Kathmandu where she was diagnosed with HIV. Frightened by her condition and the prospect of being ostracized in their village, Muna’s extended family abandoned her. After losing everything she had a second time, Muna had nowhere else to turn.
Fortunately, the hospital referred her to NYF’s New Life Center, a specialized treatment center and transitional home for children and their caregivers (mostly mothers) living with HIV/AIDS, one of the most stigmatized diseases in Nepal.
At admission Muna had difficulty breathing, was severely malnourished, and desperately underweight. There were rashes all over her body and she had very low immunity levels.
Pediatricians, Nurses, and NLC staff are providing holistic care: antiretroviral treatment, medical checkups, nutritious food, and psychological counseling, as well as recreational and social activities. Muna is also keeping up with her studies and especially likes to help other children with their reading and writing.
While Muna ‘s HIV-treatment will take longer than the average three months, she has already gained 13 pounds and her health has improved significantly.
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The New Life Center serves 72 children like Muna annually. This past quarter, 13 children started their treatment and four were already discharged with improved health by the end of the quarter.
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