Centre considering HIV/AIDS bill

Hyderabad, Mar 5 (UNI) The Centre is considering introduction of a bill in the coming Monsoon session of Parliament to address the issue of HIV epidemic in India, according to Mr Anand Grover Director, Lawyers Collective.

Talking to UNI here Mr Grover said the Draft HIV/AIDS Bill,2006 envisaged extensive prevention, care, treatment and support programme that entails widely disseminated and easily accessible information and education, an accountable and accessible Government structure in the form of HIV/AIDS authorities, access to healthcare services and treatment and the protection and promotion of the rights of persons, who are HIV-positive and those affected by HIV.

The bill is the culmination of a rigorous research, drafting and consultative process that has involved stakeholders from across the country by the National AIDS Control Organisation(NACO) and State AIDS Control Societies, the noted Mumbai-based Lawyer informed.

Groups and Communities with specific perspectives on the epidemic like HIV-positive persons, sex workers, men who have sex with men, injecting drug users, healthcare providers, workers, women, children and legal experts were involved in the discussions, he said, adding that one of its key visions was the establishment of a Government initiative on HIV/AIDS that was completely accountable to all persons and that is implemented at every stage with consultations.

''Most importantly, it presents an approach to tackle the HIV epidemic, where every person is a stakeholder, every voice is included and no one is left behind. It envisiages the emergence of the epidemic from the underground so that HIV/AIDS is no longer a synonym for fear, neglect and discrimination'', he added.

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