Arora Suhani Gagan: The Healthcare Struggles Women Rarely Talk About
Arora Suhani Gagan, Founder and Counselling and Wellness Practitioner at Tanoshii Cosmos, shared on LinkedIn:
”Day 26/30: The Healthcare Struggles Women Rarely Talk About.
Her HIV Treatment Was Working. But She Was Still Afraid of Losing Her Family.
Imagine this hospital situation.
A 32-year-old married woman has been receiving HIV treatment at an ART centre.
She understands the importance of taking her medication regularly.
Her healthcare team is monitoring her progress.
But during a counselling conversation, she quietly asks:
- What if my husband leaves me?
- What if my children find out?
- Will people stop eating with me?
- Will my family ever treat me the same way again?
Her fear is not limited to the medical condition.
She is worried about what the diagnosis could mean for her relationships, privacy and everyday life.
This situation raises an important question.
Can someone receive appropriate medical treatment and still struggle emotionally because of stigma?
Absolutely.
HIV is a manageable chronic condition with effective antiretroviral therapy.
People living with HIV can lead long and healthy lives.
And when a person maintains an undetectable viral load through effective treatment, HIV is not sexually transmitted – known as U=U.
HIV is also not transmitted through hugging, sharing meals or ordinary social contact.
Yet misconceptions and discrimination can continue to affect people living with HIV.
As I continue learning about Hospital Counselling and Medical Social Work, I am understanding why HIV care should include attention to:
- Fear of rejection by partners or family members.
- Concerns about confidentiality and disclosure.
- Anxiety about children’s wellbeing.
- Emotional distress following diagnosis.
- Stigma within families and communities.
- Barriers to continuing treatment.
- Financial and employment concerns.
- Access to appropriate counselling and support services.
A hospital counsellor or medical social worker should not pressure a woman to disclose her HIV status to everyone around her.
Disclosure involves personal, medical, legal and safety considerations.
In India, the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 provides important protections relating to confidentiality and discrimination, alongside specific legal provisions.
Qualified HIV counsellors and the treating team can help patients understand disclosure-related responsibilities, partner-related concerns and available support.
And if a woman fears violence or abandonment, her safety must be considered before discussing possible disclosure.
One thought I want to carry into my professional journey:
Medical treatment can help manage HIV.
But compassionate healthcare must also address the fear of being judged, rejected or treated differently.
A diagnosis should never become a reason to deny someone dignity.”
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