Changing mindset: More Indians adopt kids of HIV parents

An encouraging trend is emerging in Pune where adoptive Indian families are showing greater willingness to accept HIV-affected children who are negative but had HIV-positive parents.

Officials at SOFOSH (Society of Friends of Sassoon Hospital), one of the leading adoption centres in Pune, say they have managed about four to five such adoptions in a year. “Couples have become more open-minded now, and have no problem in adopting children as long as they are confirmed HIV-negative. Even if the parents were positive, couples have no issues,” said Sharmila Sayed, counsellor at SOFOSH.

In an indication of greater confidence, over the past few years, young Indian couples are showing greater willingness to adopt HIV-affected children or those with disabilities. Earlier, it was only foreigners or NRI couples who would do so.

On an average about 80 adoptions take place annually at SOFOSH. Of these, 25 children with some form of medical illness or minor disability have been placed for adoption. While the first adoption of an HIV-affected child took place a decade ago, so far, about 110 children with HIV-affected status have been adopted by families.

In a recent case, an NRI couple adopted a two-year-old girl. Her biological parents who live in Pune are poor and HIV-positive. They approached SOFOSH even before delivery, saying they wanted to give up their newborn for adoption as there was no one in their extended family to look after the child.

In another case, a well-to-do banker couple adopted a three-year-old boy whose mother was HIV-positive. Being unmarried, she had decided to give up the child due to social stigma, said Madhuri Abhyankar, director of SOFOSH.

“We have parent preparation workshop where we prepare prospective parents on every aspect, especially medical aspects. So they know about the disease well and have no problem if medical tests prove that the child is negative,” said Maini Shetty, assistant director at adoption centre Bhartiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK).

“Indian couples would only adopt children with minor and correctable problems; in case of moderate or major illness or disability, they would get rejected. In fact, foreigners and NRI couples have adopted even hearing impaired children or those with a hole in the heart. However, children with any major disability do not find homes,” said Shetty explaining the earlier scenario.
Now, at SOFOSH, many adoptions have taken place of children with disabilities. Some couples have adopted more than one disabled child.

“Two months ago, a couple adopted a child with a heart problem for the second time. Their first adopted child also had a heart problem, and they got him operated. Another couple recently adopted a boy whose fingers and toes hadn’t developed, and got a corrective surgery done after adoption,” said Sayed from SOFOSH.

What makes adoption of children with disabilities by foreigners higher is increased acceptance from society, support from governments in form of medical expenses and better medical care.