AIDS victim fights for property to foot bills

Denied share in her husband’s property and his savings, she had little resources to feed her three children ( aged 10, 8 and 3) and meet the medical expenses as well.

The woman approached the district administration for help today. She has asked for a share in her husband’s property at Romiana village and financial help for maintaining her family and buying medicines. She has threatened to immolate herself, along with her children, if her demands are not met.

She also sat on a dharna in front of the SDM’s office in Rampura Phull today, where she is living with her father. Though the old man has given shelter to his youngest daughter, providing for her medicines is beyond his means.

‘‘I wish she dies rather than live such a life,’’ says the broken father.

According to reports, the authorities at Rampura hospital had turned her out due to the stigma attached to AIDS. She had been admitted there with complaints of recurring mild fever. A social worker then took her to Faridkot Medical College and Hospital, where medical tests confirmed that she was HIV positive.