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Dharamsala: Tele-counselling centre for AIDS

Tele-counselling centre for AIDS
Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, June 14

Counselling regarding AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases
can now be had by dialling toll-free number 1051 from a landline
phone.

The facility has been launched by the Urban Tribal and Hills
Advancement Society in collaboration with the State AIDS Control
Society.

Mr Ramesh Mastana, director of the society, said a computerised tele-
counselling centre had been set up in their office in Jawahar Nagar.
As per the figures available till 2004 end, a total of 1,130 HIV
positive cases had been identified in the districts of Kangra,
Hamirpur, Shimla, Bilaspur and Mandi. In Kangra district, there are
251 cases of HIV positive and 45 of AIDS.

In case the caller is not satisfied, he or she can seek counselling
in person at the centre. The society will also launch a programme in
schools aimed at putting the doubts of students to rest.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Bharat Khera, speaking at a function
organised by the Tibetan Health Institute Men-Tse-Khang yesterday,
stressed on the need for launching an aggressive condom promotion
campaign to stop the HIV virus from spreading.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr K.L. Gupta, said as many as 903 AIDS
awareness camps would be organised throughout the district.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050615/himachal.htm#6

Dear Forum,

Mr. Rajeev Sadanandan rightly wrote on 27/06/05 that Mr. Rajan Gupta's logic was
the major driving force in the design of NACP II that saw the NGOs leading on
counselling and targeted intervention.  But what has been achieved is to be
seen.

NGOs should never forget that they are not social contractors but mere catalyst
to facilitate the process of empowerment of the community so that they can take
control of their well being and interets. It is very true that when crucial
issues of power struggle emerged not only government officials but also most of
the NGOs chickened out leaving communities in the lurch.

The burning example is that of  the rights, access & control over natural
resources (land / water)  of the marginalised community is still a distant dream
- and no one is taking it up and not has Government shown enough political will
in the last fifty years to do someting expect for two States.

NACP III really needs to see the community organisations in charge. During the
visit by the World Bank team to UPSACS last week where representatives from the
UP' Positive Network (affiliated to INP+) were also present, the Asst. Director
at a point of time says that they want to create another network of HIV+ people
and get it affiliated with INP+. Another interesting factor is the Project
Director who was present at that time in the office did not attend the meeting
but intstead chose to meet the representatives of
WB only after the meeting. With this attitude of UPSACS how can affected
community or thier own organisations can take charge to better their situations?
It is a tremendous challenge for all of us as it throws an arena of
oppurtunities but also a lots of attitudinal challenges. I strongly believe that
NACP III should also start a new era whereby people from HIV+ network are made
board members of the respective SACS and also a whole range of issues that the
first two phases could not address.

Opinion are sought from you all to lobby at this point of time before the
planning process of NACP III is over. We all can make difference for tomorrow.

Suman Jana
sumanjana@...
+91 9335277257
E-mail <sumanjana@...>

The names of three AIDS activist nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
2005

The names of Shyamala Natarajan, Saraswathi and Krishna Jagannathan
were announced by the NGO Wednesday.
_______________
The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jun 29: Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been on a fast for the
last three and a half years for the removal of the Armed Forces
Special Powers Act from Manipur has been officially nominated for
the Nobel Peace Prize 2005 as one of 1000 women worldwide working
for human security and a liveable and just future.

Disclosing this, Esther Chinnu, administrator, North East Network,
Manipur, told mediapersons today that Sharmila�fs nomination, along
with that of 999 other �epeace-women�f was officially announced by
the Switzerland-based 1000 Women for Nobel Peace Prize 2005 campaign
today.

According to Chinnu, Sharmila is among 158 women nominated from the
South Asian region. Including Sharmila, six women in total were
nominated from the north-eastern states of India.

Their names were announced by the 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace
Prize 2005 campaign�fs South Asia coordinator, Kamla Bhasin at a
press conference held this afternoon, she stated.

Recalling that the North East Network�fs chairperson, Manisha Behl
was behind the initiative for Sharmila�fs nomination, she said the
NEN had received an official intimation of the nomination on June 14
last.

Sharmila�fs brother, Irom Singhajit, recalled that after the
massacre of nine civilians by Assam Rifles troops in November 2002
at Malom, Sharmila had launched her lone struggle seeking the
removal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from the state.

IANS adds: Three Tamil Nadu women have been nominated for the Nobel
Peace Prize by a Chennai-based NGO - Initiatives: Women in
Development - for their work on issues such as AIDS, environment and
social parity.

The names of Shyamala Natarajan, Saraswathi and Krishna Jagannathan
were announced by the NGO Wednesday.

The three women figure in a list of 1,000 women from 150 countries,
whose names have been submitted to the Nobel Prize Committee.

Natarajan is a journalist in her late 40s and is the founder
director of South India AIDS Action. She has been working with HIV-
positive and AIDS-affected people for more than a decade.

Saraswathi, hailing from Chennai, works with campaigns to eliminate
caste discriminations.

Jagannathan is an environmentalist and works for women's issues. She
belongs to Nagapattinam district, which was hit badly by the
December tsunami disaster.

As many as nine Nepalese women have also been nominated for the
Nobel Peace Prize 2005 for their contribution to peace-building.

http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?
template=headline&newsid=24393&typeid=1

Dear members,

I completely agree with Nilim Gera that it is the same group of people anywhere
and every where and they even dont want their number to increase. If we go back
and try to evaluate the programs, we realize that we dont want to learn from our
mistakes and we are not interested in removing the problem in totality. The only
reason I could understand for this is that if good strategies are developed and
work is done honestly, the process will be completed sooner and at the end of
the day out activists probably don�t want to see that situation.

Actually it raises issues on the whole process of tax payers money being spent
by someone else and that is why instead of relying on the expertise of so called
activists, more and more corporate these days, have started implementing
programs themselves

Shadab
E-mail: <mshadab@...>

Dear FORUM,

PRAYAS, a Pune based NGO working in HIV/AIDS since 1994, has recently published
a report "People with HIV: Sitgma, Coping and Support System: An insider's
Perspective" based on its research project supported by NIMHANS under its Small
Grants Program.

People with HIV : Stigma, Coping and Support Systems:An Insider's Perspective

Contents of the report
Foreword
Report Review - Dr. Shallini Bharat
Dr. Sanjay Mehendale, Dr. Ram Gambhir
Background
Introduction
Methodology
Profile of the Respondents

The Findings
1.Disclosure
2.Stigma
3.Coping
4.Support Systems

Conclusions
Recommendations
References

Contact for copies at prayashealth@...

For copy of the report send us a demand draft in the name of PRAYAS for Rs.
100/- or  Rs. 140/- for outstation cheques (This includes postage charges). For
those out of India please send $ 15 (Including postage.)


PRAYAS

Amrita Clinic, Karve Road, Pune 411004 (India)
Phone Nos. 91- 20-25441230, 91-20-25420337
E-mail: <prayashealth@...>

From: KIM MARTIN <KMARTIN@...>

Subject: Organizations fighting HIV/AIDS in India Join Together
Contact: Kim Martin 410 659-6140

ORGANIZATIONS FIGHTING HIV/AIDS IN INDIA JOIN TOGETHER TO
COORDINATE ACTIVITIES IN MAHARASHTRA STATE MUMBAI,

India: More than 30 participants representing various organizations engaged in
the fight against HIV/AIDS came together to work as a team at a Partners'
meeting in Maharashtra hosted by the Health Communication Partnership (HCP), a
global program implemented under the leadership of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg
School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs (CCP).

The Partners' meeting is a forum convened by organizations working on HIV/AIDS
prevention, care, and support to ensure coordination and collaboration among all
the various players: government agencies,
NGOs, community-based organizations, USAID-funded cooperating agencies, UN
agencies, selected donors, and the corporate sector. Within India, Maharashtra
State has the highest number of people living with HIV, almost 50 percent of all
known cases in India.

HIV prevalence in the State is estimated to be 1.75 percent, close to twice the
national average. Among high-risk groups, up to 60 percent of sex workers in
Mumbai, the State capital, are HIV positive.

Meri Sinnitt, Deputy Director of USAID/Delhi's Office of  Population, Health and
Nutrition, welcomed the participants. During the well-attended meeting, each
organization shared updates about their current HIV/AIDS-related work,
especially in the area of > behavior change communication.

HCP Director Jose Rimon II shared experiences of evidence-based
strategic health communication programs in five countries: South Africa,
Honduras, Ghana, Zambia, and Baltimore City (Maryland).

Some key lessons learned from the five countries are: 1) the importance of
political commitment from government leaders; 2) the evidence that behavior
change can be influenced and even predicted; 3) the critical need for
evidence-based programming and design of
interventions; 4) the effective use of entertainment-education approaches; 5)
the need for public-private sector partnerships to achieve scale;  6) the
appreciation that the young and youth are
critical segments that need to be reached; 7) the involvement of affected groups
in the design of interventions; and 8) the inclusion of community and
faith-based groups in program design and implementation.

"All the different partners working to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in
Maharashtra understand that we can only succeed if we work> together as a team,"
said Sonalini Mirchandani, HCP Country Director. "Together each of us can
achieve  more. Hence, the need for this regular Partner's meeting hosted by
different organizations."

Copies of the newly published book, Strategic Communication
in the HIV/AIDS Epidemic, written by CCP experts Neill Mckee, Jane Bertrand, and
Antje Becker-Benton, were shared with each organization active in the Partner's
meeting.

HCP is a global communication initiative based at CCP in partnership
with the Academy for Educational Development, Save the Children, the
International HIV/AIDS Alliance, and Tulane University's School of Public Health
and Tropical Medicine.

In addition to the five core partners, HCP works with leading Southern-based
health communication organizations as well as global
programming partners from the corporate sector, international media, academic
institutions, and faith-based organizations. For more information, visit
www.hcpartnership.org .

With representatives in more than 30 countries, Johns Hopkins' CCP
partners with organizations worldwide to design and implement strategic
communication programs that influence political dialogue, collective action, and
individual behavior change; enhance access to
information and the exchange of knowledge to improve health and health care; and
conduct research to guide program design, evaluate impact, and advance knowledge
and practice in health communication.

For  more information, visit www.jhuccp.org

Edford G Mutuma
E-mail: <edfordm@...>

Dear friends

Tell me where I can get free drugs of deserving patients as it has been anounced
by NACO and the Govt. Its urgent and kindly help!!!

Dr Lata Tapnikar
Email: <lata_ajay@...>

Dear Forum

When NACP III is in the pipeline to celebrate its gala launching in 2006 as the
largest AIDS control program of the world I have reservations to substantiate
the new program to be the �Program of the People by the People with the People�
after making some crucial observations at its present development processes.

I can foresee NACP III to produce similar kind of controversial outcomes like
the number juggling debates created by NACP II over its sentinel surveillance
reports. This process will continue till the end of another decade before we
realize it to be too late to reciprocate.

It is terribly amazing that the whole designing mechanism of NACP III is taking
place without any trace of a single representative of the target community
constituting CSWs, MSMs and IDUs. Bigger surprise is, despite the country houses
a good number of active and hyper active peoples� networks and organizations
none of them has raised their voices against such discrimination leading to
complete avoidance of the peoples� participation during NACP III planning.

It further indicates the next phase of the program is going to become another
fruitless product of the malfunctioning cerebral devices of the same old bunches
of technocrats and bureaucrats who are, literally millions of light years away
from the ground realities and priorities and often being dictated by terms and
conditions laid down by the big international �Dadas and Datas�.

The tragedy of the whole story is the so called human activists and radical
humanists who claim them to be the hard core peoples� advocates and
simultaneously flex muscle with the powerful policy makers and brokers, till
now, have tactfully demonstrated complete silence on this burning issue.

I feel ashamed when I see the same section of activists move around the world
(huge cost implications) with a big mouth to tell the rest of the world
heartbreaking anecdotes of miseries, agonies and exploitation of the
marginalized people. It is the same group of development professionals who are
thoroughly skilled in making huge hue and cry at national and international
forums to mainstream the marginalized with proper restoration of their social
and legal right.

But the same humanist groups delicately ignore all possibilities of bringing the
peoples� groups on board while participating in the designing process of NACP
III. Do they feel utterly insecure in sharing chairs with the peoples�
representatives as it may grossly hamper their beautiful interest and intention
in future?

Don�t you think it a kind of loathsome hypocrisy in the name of service to the
people?

The National AIDS program will never be a success unless and until it reflects
the need and aspiration of the CSWs, MSMs, IDUs and PLWHA and ensures their
active participation in its planning exercises.

Luckily it is not happening.

Otherwise opportunity driven development professionals would have thrived for
different livelihood options.

In Solidarity

Nilim Gera
E-mail: <nilim_g4@...>

AP: 100 more AIDS centres to come up
Tuesday June 28 2005 13:36 IST

HYDERABAD: The State Government has directed the Andhra Pradesh
State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) to set up 100 more Voluntary
Counselling and Testing Centres (VCTCs) across the State. As many as
107 VCTC centres are already functioning in the State.

APSACS will open 70 centers by next month and the remaining 30
centres will be set up at TB hospitals where microscopic testing
facility is available.

On an average each district will get three additional VCTCs in
addition to the existing number.

``While the available government infrastructure would be used at the
new centers, volunteers from Lepra India would also be roped in.
Equipment such as testing kits and syringes would be provided and
the expenditure on each centre would be about Rs 25,000,'' APSACS
deputy director K Padmavathi told this website's newspaper.

Three types of tests - Comb AIDS Advantage, Retroquick and Enzyme
Immuno Assay (EIJ) tests- will be offered for HIV suspected patients
free of cost. ``Usually middle class and below middle class people
come to these centres for getting tested. As each of these tests
would cost more than Rs 200, naturally they depend on us,'' said
joint director Dr Ramana Rao.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?
ID=IEA20050628031510&Page=A&Title=Southern+News+-
+Andhra+Pradesh&Topic=0

Early registration for Internet Mediated Communication Workshop at 7th ICAAP

Workshop title: Scope of Internet Mediated Communication in HIV/AIDS response.

Date: Saturday, July 2

Time: 14:30 - 18:00 local time

Location: Room 503, International Conference Center, Kobe

Code: SaSBW08

Facilitators:
Joe Thomas
Maurice Bloem

Early registration opens at (*Only a maximum of 30 people can attend
the workshop):

http://www.cwsindonesia.or.id/icaap7/regst.php?nws_procs=A&cws_langu=1&_inUNm=

Objective:
To explore the full potential of IMC as part of the global efforts to
combat the causes and consequences of HIV infection. This workshop
would introduce the participants to the theory and practice of IMC,
with special emphasis on the use of e-forums.

Promoting equity in accessing Internet Mediated Health Communication
(IMC) is a greater challenge in capacity building and promoting social capital.
The implication of digital divide is greater than many of other aspects of
health inequity. There is an urgent need to explore the full potential of IMC as
part of the global efforts to combat the causes and consequences of HIV
infection.

Output
Increased knowledge of Internet Mediated Communication to help close
the digital divide in combating the causes and consequences of HIV
infection

For RSVP please contact:
imckobe@...

Director � HIV/AIDS Awareness Program, American India
Foundation

The American India Foundation (AIF) is a leading US
development agency focused on India charged with
accelerating social and economic change in India.

Funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation  AIF will be engaging Indo-Americans to
contribute toward the fight against HIV/AIDS in India
as well as making grants to NGOs in India. AIF is
looking for a U.S.-based Director of its HIV/AIDS
program to lead the creation of this new area of the
Foundation�s work.

  The Director will work out of AIF�s New York office
and will be responsible for the following:

Developing and implementing a
strategy to raise awareness among Indo-Americans about
the effects of HIV/AIDS in India

Raising resources from
Indo-Americans, private corporations and foundations
to be directed toward AIF�s HIV/AIDS grant making

Developing and managing a
US-based Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS

Organizing a summit that will
bring together US-based institutions and individuals
who are already working on, or who are interested in,
HIV/AIDS in India

Working with the AIF India team
to develop a grant making strategy

The ideal candidate will have:

*A deep understanding of HIV/AIDS from a global
perspective, and with a specific understanding of the
Indian situation

*Ability to establish and manage a large marketing and
awareness-building campaign

*Experience interacting with senior corporate,
non-profit and government leaders

*An ability to establish strategic relationships with
existing programs working on HIV/AIDS in India

*Ability to communicate effectively

*Ability to plan and execute a wide variety of events

  Compensation:

� This position offers an informal and friendly work
environment in a fast-paced office, flexible work
hours and benefits. Salary is commensurate with
experience.

Qualified candidates can email or fax their resume and
salary range to:

Daniel Killpack
Associate Executive Director
Fax: (212) 891-4717
Email: daniel.killpack@...

About AIF
The American India Foundation (AIF) is a leading
US-based development organization charged with the
mission of accelerating social and economic change in
India. By mobilizing people and resources across the
United States, AIF has raised over $25 million since
its inception in 2001. AIF provides grants to
education, livelihood, and public health projects in
India with a focus on elementary education, women�s
empowerment, and HIV/AIDS, respectively. AIF also
administers two programs: (1) the Service Corps, which
develops young American leaders by matching their
skills with the needs of Indian nonprofits, and (2)
the Digital Equalizer, which bridges the digital
divide by providing computers, Internet, and training
to under-resourced schools. AIF works out of New York
and Silicon Valley in the US, and New Delhi and
Bangalore in India. President Bill Clinton serves as
Honorary Chair.

NARI touch to second AIDS vaccine trial centre in Chennai

TB Research Centre waits for Genetic Engineering Approval Committee
nod to launch trials this Oct by ANURADHA MASCARENHAS

Posted online: Monday, June 27, 2005 at 0154 hours IST

PUNE, JUNE 26: In February, Pune-based National AIDS Research
Institute (NARI) embarked upon the nation's first-ever clinical
trial on humans for an AIDS vaccine. But since the need is to test
several such vaccines, another centre of excellence has been
developed in Chennai where trials for a second AIDS vaccine is to be
launched by the end of the year.

The Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC) in Chennai is now getting
ready for the Q4, 2005 trials and work is on in close coordination
with NARI, Pune. ``We have shared our experiences with TRC
scientists and helped in setting up the laboratory apart from
providing help on community preparedness,'' said Dr R S Paranjape,
officer-in-charge, NARI.

The TRC is now awaiting official communication from the Genetic
Engineering Approval Committee to launch the trials, said Deputy
Director V D Ramanathan in an exclusive interaction with Newsline
from Chennai.

In December 2000, the Government of India through the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare entered into an MoU with the International
AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) to develop an AIDS vaccine specific
to the virus strains prevalent in the country. The tripartite
agreement is between the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO),
the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and IAVI.

Since several vaccines need to be tested as quickly as possible �
parallely rather than sequentially � it was decided to set up two
centres of excellence for AIDS vaccine clinical evaluation. While
one centre is at NARI in Pune where the first Phase I clinical
trials with the AAV-based AIDS vaccine (tgAAC09) is under way, the
centre at Chennai will test another vaccine candidate, Modified
Vaccinia Ankara (MVA).

MVA is a highly attenuated (weakened) form of the vaccinia virus. It
is used as a vector for six Indian HIV-1 subtype C genes. These
genes were identified from recent seroconverters in India in
collaboration with scientists at NARI, Pune and from consensus
sequences of the Indian HIV-1 subtype C strain from an international
gene database.

After TRC gets the nod from the Genetic Engineering Approval
Committee, it will embark on the crucial and painstaking process of
recruiting potential participants. Like in the first trials at NARI,
volunteers will be recruited after a thorough community interaction
process and careful individual screening.

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=73399

Why Indian women are willing to marry HIV positive men

Dear members of the forum,

This is in response to the mail regarding "Matrimonial ads from HIV
carriers are getting responses even from uninfected women".

Firstly, yes women are compassionate. A mother is a living
testimony. Therefore, there is no debate about women's compassion.

But when it comes to HIV negative women responding to HIV positive
men, is it just about compassion? Check with poor and destitute
women who have to meet survival needs at any costs. Check with them
whether given a choice they would opt for HIV positive men or not?

The rise in poverty and destitution are the prime reasons for this
new trend- survival at any cost. So, the response of women is not a
reflection of their compassion and warmth, but matters related to
their daily struggle for survival.

As an Indian woman, I am deeply distressed by the thought that women
are willing to marry HIV positive men for reasons such as financial
security and safe living conditions for their children.  I am left
wondering what the Government and civil society is offering women
today.

A 19-year old girl belonging to a poor family wanting to marry a 40-
year old HIV positive man is reflective of the desperation she
feels, which in turn speaks volumes about the educational and
vocational opportunities being offered to her.

In addition, the situation illustrates the predominant Indian
sentiment that a single woman cannot survive without a man's
support.  In this case, these women are willing to forego any hopes
of conceiving a child from their husbands and also become long term
caregivers of their HIV positive husbands.  As much as this shows
the will power and courage of women, it is demonstrates equally
their lack of decision making power to live independently in our
society.

As Mr. Jani had pointed out, the more financially sound men are
finding vulnerable HIV negative women.  The reverse is yet to
happen.  And the majority of women willing to marry positive men
belong to lower or middle socioeconomic strata of society.  This
makes one wonder whether HIV negative men will approach positive
women for marriage.

Such trends should be an eye opener for all of us.  Unfortunately,
this is not a symbol of a world that loves and cares.  It is a
symbol of a world that doesn't.

Sowbhagya Somanadhan
E-mail:  lechus_13@...

Mr. Rajan Gupta's logic was the major driving force in the design of NACP II.
NGOs led on counselling and targeted intervention. But have they been able to
deliver in areas where governments failed? Or were
they co-opted into the middle and upper class agenda that drives governance in
India?

I feel that any outside agency, be they government or NGOs, cannot play the role
that communities have to play. Most of the successful interventions have
happened in situations were NGOs went beyond their
brief and mobilised communities. As against scenarios were NGOs developed a
vested interest in keeping communities out as recievers of condescending
benefit.

When crucial issues of power struggle emerged not only government officials but
also most of the NGOs chickened out leaving communities in the lurch. So, while
governments cannot deal with effectively with issues of marginalised communities
can NGOs be any
more effective?

My experience has been that most of them have been prisoners of the same value
system that drives government officials.

NACP III needs to see the community organisations in charge. SO that they decide
what is good for them and develop programmes to address their interests. This
would also solve the issues of stigma  generated by focussed interventions,
adressing the issues of non-sexual health needs of vulnerable sub-populations
and invest in empowerment that an offical or NGO led programme cannot do.

This calls for resources and facilitation. The NACP can fund that. Given the
urgency of powerholders to control the spread of HIV
vulnerable populations have a window of opportunity to force through agendas
that would otherwise not be  accepted.

Private public partnerships are needed. But it is time to move beyond NGOs and
towards community led organisations.

Rajeev Sadanandan
E-mail: <rajeev_sadanandan@...>

HIV hopes ride on therapeutic vaccine
By DAVID WAHLBERG

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

AIDS researchers, unable so far to concoct a vaccine powerful enough
to prevent infection in healthy people exposed to the virus, are
increasingly focusing on another approach: a vaccine to treat,
instead of prevent, HIV.

The idea of a therapeutic vaccine that would keep an infection in
check, not prevent it, presents new challenges and opportunities
that scientists will discuss at an Emory University conference
beginning today.

Safely mounting a strong immune response in people with HIV may be a
taller hurdle than protecting those without the virus.

But people with HIV might accept a higher risk of vaccine side
effects than those without the virus, experts say. And a therapeutic
vaccine, which might require only a few doses, may need to be only
partially effective to allow patients to stop taking costly
antiviral drugs, which most people in developing countries can't
afford.

"It could have a big impact on the epidemic," said Rama Rao Amara,
an Emory researcher working on a therapeutic vaccine. "It's possible
you could take three shots and that would be it."

Vaccines in global tests

Nearly 25 years after HIV was first reported, drugs and prevention
programs have had only minimal success in stopping the spread of the
virus.

"Only a vaccine can end the epidemic," said Dr. Seth Berkley,
president of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative in New York
City.

Most research has focused on a preventive vaccine. More than 30 such
vaccine candidates are in clinical studies globally, roughly two
dozen of them in the United States. One by Amara and his Emory
colleague Harriet Robinson is scheduled to enter its second small
study in people late this year.

The only preventive vaccine widely studied in people, made by VaxGen
of California, failed in trials two years ago. That vaccine has been
combined with another, by Sanofi Pasteur, for a major study in
Thailand; results are expected in a few years.

Another pharmaceutical company, Merck, launched a large study of a
new type of vaccine this year in several locations, including
Emory's Hope Clinic in Decatur. Like other newer vaccines, it uses a
virus to deliver scraps of HIV to the body's immune system so it
will recognize and attack the full-scale virus. Merck uses an
inactivated adenovirus, a cause of the common cold.

"That would be the lead candidate out there now," Berkley said.

Cautious optimism

But therapeutic vaccines are also starting to show promise.
French researchers reported last November on a study of 18
Brazilians with HIV who had not started taking antiviral drugs. They
received a therapeutic vaccine that was individually tailored � by
removing certain immune cells from each patient, mixing those cells
with HIV in the lab, then reinjecting them. Four months later, the
level of virus in the patients' bloodstream had dropped an average
80 percent.

The French researchers will speak at Emory's conference on HIV
vaccine and drug development, held today and Friday. About 150
scientists will gather, including others from Europe and some from
Thailand.

A different therapeutic vaccine, by another French group, also
greatly reduced virus levels in a small study released this year.

Another recently studied in U.S. patients, including six patients at
Grady Memorial Hospital's Ponce de Leon Center in Atlanta, also
showed some benefit, said Dr. Jeffrey Lennox, medical director of
the clinic.

Scientists are intrigued but remain cautious, awaiting long-term
data. "We still don't know what's going to happen two or three years
down the line," said Robinson, of Emory.

A major challenge remains for both therapeutic and preventive
vaccines: trying to activate both components of the human immune
system to fight HIV.

Most experimental HIV vaccines aim to make use of killer cells,
which hunt down cells infected by the virus and try to destroy them.
But researchers increasingly believe they also need to rally
antibodies, which prevent infection.

Vaccines for diseases such a polio and influenza use killed or
weakened viruses to generate antibodies. HIV is thought to be too
dangerous to use that way, plus it mutates quickly, easily dodging
antibodies.

But scientists have identified five rare HIV patients who have
naturally developed powerful antibodies against many strains of HIV,
Berkley said. Researchers are trying to figure out how the
protection was generated so they can harness the knowledge in a
vaccine.

"We've got the lock," he said. "Now we have to find the key."
At the Hope Clinic, Dr. Frances Priddy, medical director, said the
key to HIV vaccine research was enrolling volunteers in trials.

She is looking for 120 people � men and women at high risk for HIV �
to test the Merck vaccine candidate thought to be at the head of the
pack. About 3,000 people will be enrolled in the study globally.

The vaccine is designed to prevent HIV, but it may eventually also
be studied as a therapeutic vaccine.

No HIV vaccine is expected to be approved for years, or perhaps
decades. But since therapeutic vaccines could be allowed to carry
slightly more risk � and would only have to moderate disease, not
prevent infection � they may arrive more quickly.

"Therapeutic vaccines probably will be available before the
preventive ones," Priddy said. "They don't have to be perfect."

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/health/0505/19hiv.html

Job Vacancy: Interim Director: India HIV/AIDS Alliance

Interim Director: India HIV/AIDS Alliance (FP522)
Post in Delhi until end of 2005

The Interim Director will assume the functions of the permanent
Director. The emphasis is on leading the organisation in
incorporating improvements as a result of the current organisational
review and handing over responsibilities to a newly hired permanent
Director at the end of 2005.

The Director has responsibility for attaining key organisational and
operational objectives. In collaboration with others, the Director
ensures the following are achieved:

Implementation of a strategy that is both responsive to the
situation in India and aligned with the International HIV/AIDS
Alliance's strategic framework
A strong Alliance of partner organisations in India
A motivated staff, working effectively in different locations
An operation meeting output targets
A solid donor profile, with revenue recovering costs
A programme making a difference to the wellbeing of vulnerable
people and people affected by AIDS in India.
A competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with
qualifications and experience will be offered to the successful
candidate.
The successful candidate must be available to take up the post
within two months.

How to Apply
To apply for this post, please send your CV and a covering letter
(both in English) to recruitment@.... Subject box
should be `Interim Director: India + Ref FP/522 and your surname'.
Please use a format compatible with Microsoft Office/Word.
Your covering letter should be not more than 2 pages and should
briefly summarise where you saw the position advertised, how you
meet the essentials of the person specification and details of your
salary history. Closing date: Thursday 30 June

Interview date likely: Thursday 7 or Friday 8 July

Equal Opportunities

Please download and complete the Alliance Equal Opportunities
Monitoring Form and email along with your application. Completion of
any part of this form is voluntary and all information will be
treated in confidence and will not be seen by line management
responsible for the appointment.

The International HIV/AIDS Alliance is committed to equal
opportunities and welcomes applications from appropriately qualified
people from all sections of the community. Qualified people living
with HIV/AIDS are particularly encouraged to apply.

http://www.aidsalliance.org/sw26837.asp

Regional coordianted program needed for the AIDS prevention and control.

It�s  a matter of great concern regarding HIV issues that our neighboring
countries- India, Myanmar and Nepal are considered to be the focal point of HIV
epidemic in this region. Currently, about 5 million people in India are having
HIV.

The epidemic of HIV/AIDS in India is following the same pattern of Africa and it
could become just a devastating unless preventive action is taken now. It is an
expert assumption that the number of people infected with HIV in India will rise
to 15-20 million by 2010.

The Bangladesh has a breachable porous boarder with India and its economy
depends a large number of migrant workers mostly to India and Myanmar, including
maidservant, truck drivers, businessmen  and laborers. These migrants, who spend
many months away from their families, are known to be at increased risk of
contracting HIV.

So, for the prevention of HIV/AIDS in this region we need close, coordinated
prevention & control program under umbrella of UN agency or any regional
authority immediately.

Md.Alauddin,
294 Senpara Parbata, Mirpur-10,
Dhaka-1216,Bangladesh
E-mail: <malauddin2003@...>

A public-private partnership is essential
A Basis for NACP III

While Ashok Row Kavi agrees with my characterization of the Indian
HIV/AIDS pandemic "HIV/AIDS is going to be very hard to eradicate.
Stigma, taboos, sexual transmission, and a very long asymptomatic
period make it a unique pandemic," [see messages 4676 and 4683 in
AIDS-INDIA forum] he does not support the idea that a public-private
partnership is essential to effectively fight the scourge. He states
that "I'm afraid that the government alone will finally have to "take
ownership" for fighting this disease by integrating it actively into
the reproductive and child care programs within its reasonably
successful family welfare programs."

In this note I would like to clarify why, given the realities in
India, a public-private partnership is essential to combat HIV/AIDS.
The bottom line is that the government's role and strength is to
create enlightened policy, develop short and long term intervention
strategies, and provide the financial and medical resources. The role
of private organizations (CBOs, NGOs and employers) is to work with
their employees, the marginalized, people at risk and those infected.
It is the combined efforts that will give rise to a holistic and
effective program.

Because of the stigma attached with major transmission
routes/activities, issues of morality, and the need to often step into
harm reduction situations that reside in the grey zone between legal
and illegal it is unlikely that government officials can be effective
agents of change, especially with the marginalized. It is interesting
to note, as an example of the unique and difficult circumstances and
skills required to work effectively with the marginalized, my own
learning came through interactions with Ashok and his colleagues at
Humsafar (please see my report on this experience at
http://t8web.lanl.gov/people/rajan/AIDS-india/MYWORK/beatbombay.2.00.html
). It is very hard for me to imagine that sufficient number of
government officials would be comfortable or effective in such
situations. I will be surprised to find even a few out in the open
recovering addicts or gays in government service willing to work as
peer educators. India is not yet ready for social acceptance of such
brave souls and she cannot wait for this transformation before
tackling HIV/AIDS.

I will now highlight, in some more detail, the strengths and
weaknesses of each of the two sectors by what they can do best.
Hopefully, this partial list will make it clear why cooperation and a
combination of the two are needed. Let me start with what the
government can do best:

Create enlightened policy
Decriminalize prostitution
Decriminalize consensual anal/oral sex between two adults
Provide treatment and rehabilitation centers for alcohol and drug
abusers
Recognize and implement the four equally important pillars on which
intervention should be based

Educate the entire population on sexuality, sex, STIs, HIV/AIDS
Promote harm reduction strategies with respect to sex workers, MSM,
IVD users.
Create adequate numbers of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centers.

Ensure care and treatment of opportunistic infections and provide
anti-retroviral drugs for all those in need.
Provide adequate training and financial resources to organizations
working on the ground.
Ensure a reliable and adequate supply of condoms to all
organizations working to reduce risky sex.
Ensure a reliable and adequate supply of anti-retroviral medicines,
train enough doctors to treat HIV infected people, and ensure there
are adequate numbers of facilities to treat HIV/AIDS patients.
Conduct surveillance and monitor the efficacy of programs and their
impact on incidence and prevalence figures.

What private organizations (CBOs and NGOs) do best:

Develop and train leaders and peer educators amongst sex workers,
MSM, IVD users, and migrant and slum populations.
Work with the marginalized to address stigma and discrimination.
Prevent exploitation of minors and the marginalized.
Help those living in extreme poverty to develop skills and seek
employment other than sex work.
Help the marginalized access their legal rights and get fair play
from law enforcement agencies
Distribute condoms (and needles to IVDU) and create behavior change
in those prone to risky sex and those addicted.
Help those infected get care and treatment.
Create self-help and support groups for and amongst those infected
and/or addicted.
Help monitor the programs, develop new intervention strategies, and
provide feedback to the government.
Motivate every business and employer to take responsibility for
education and awareness and make sure that means (condoms, counseling)to reduce
risk are easily and freely available.

In short, a public-private partnership and close collaborations are
essential and necessary in every aspect of the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Creating a system of monitoring of the programs by organizations
working on the ground, in addition to the sentinel surveillance and
NACO's analysis, as I had suggested in the posting 4676 in the
AIDS-INDIA forum at
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS-INDIA/message/4676, is no
exception.

On the issue of targeted intervention (by geographic location and by
risk groups), I agree with Ashok Row Kavi that the window of
opportunity has passed.  My arguments on this issue are contained in
pages 79-80 in the monograph posted at
http://t8web.lanl.gov/people/rajan/AIDS-india/MYWORK/Gupta_HIV_India.pdf.

Lastly, on the issue of integration of HIV/AIDS programs into the
mainstream of successful health and family programs.  The issue of
fragmented effort is a much larger structural one and affects most
parts of the government. Clearly, whether HIV/AIDS programs are run
through a separate division under these agencies or a part of them
matters, but what is necessary is that there is integration as there
is much overlap in strategy and needs. The medium term goal (before
eradication) has to be to transform HIV/AIDS into one of the many
serious life-long but manageable conditions and thus eventually an
integral part of the health and family welfare system at all levels.

I believe that since HIV/AIDS is not just a medical problem but also a very deep
socio-economic one, a public-private partnership is essential.

Sincerely
Rajan Gupta
rajan@...
http://t8web.lanl.gov/people/rajan/AIDS-india/

Job Vacency: MSF Campaigner, Access to Essential Medicines

Job title: Campaigner, Access to Essential Medicines
Job location: New Delhi, India

Place within the organization: Reporting to MSF Holland India Head of
Mission, functionally accountable to Access Campaign Coordinator, Amsterdam

start date August 2005 or later, Period 6 months extendable
Submission Date for application: July 15, 2005

Mission Operations:

MSF/H opened a small office in New Delhi in June 1999, following a first field
visit in April. In October 1999, permission was obtained from the Reserve Bank
of India for MSF/H to start project activities.

MSF/H in India focuses primarily on offering support to the populations that
suffer from India�s hidden conflicts, with an emphasis on the North Eastern
States and Kashmir.

MSF/H started a mental health program in Srinagar and in 2004 opened a second
operational site in Kupwara, close to the Line of Control with Pakistan.  In
Kashmir the main activity is providing counseling to the community, however
there is also a Watsan and medical element to the program in Kupwara.

In the Northeast of India, particularly in Assam, malaria has been
identified as one of the problems. In order to have a rational malaria program
that can provide accurate diagnosis and treatment, MSF began by implementing
malaria drug sensitivity trials in collaboration with the regional Malaria
Research Center and medical colleges.  In the last 12 months MSF has moved on
from the Malaria study to operating 4 BHC/ANC clinics in two districts of Assam,
with plans to extend to mobile clinics and Malaria Field site activities. 
Watsan activities in the various IDP camps are also a priority for the Assam
project.

In the autumn of 2004, MSF started a project in the protected state of Manipur. 
Originally aimed at malaria and possibly MDR TB this programme is now a BHC/ANC
project with possibilities of moving into STIs and eventually HIV by the end of
2005.

Following the Tsunami of 2004, MSFH opened a 6-month project in the
Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, offering counseling to the affected
villages.  It is expected that this project will close at the end of July 2005.

Other MSF sections in India

In addition to the activities of MSF/H, MSF Belgium has been active in Mumbai
with a TB intervention. Currently the TB program is handed over to the local
authorities. Together with a local partner however MSF Belgium will be starting
an HIV-AIDS project in Mumbai.

Following the Tsunami MSF-Belgium started a project in Tamil Nadu where
currently a mental health program and a basic health care program are being
implemented in Nagapattinam, one of the most heavily affected areas.

MSF Spain is the third section present in India and is currently involved in
exploring the possibilities of starting a Leishmanias project in the state of
Bihar.

The three sections meet with regular intervals and are cooperating in the areas
of emergency preparedness and the Access Campaign.

Access Campaign in India

In the midst of civil society protests and international media attention, the
Indian Parliament approved and passed the new Patents Act on March 23rd 2005.
The Indian Patents Act of 1970 was thus amended to allow for the granting of
pharmaceutical product patents �something the country has not done since 1970.

The previous Indian Patents Act did not allow patents on pharmaceutical products
and thus enabled Indian companies to make their own generic versions of
medicines. Generic production has been crucial for the supply of affordable
medicines in the developing world, especially for newer drugs such as
antiretrovirals (ARVs) for the treatment of HIV. Due to the lack of product
patents on each separate drug, Indian generic manufacturers have been able to
combine three different AIDS medicines in one single pill.

M�decins Sans Fronti�res provides ARV treatment to nearly 30,000 people living
with HIV/AIDS around the world. MSF shares concerns expressed by Indian civil
society, patients� groups and other international treatment advocates about the
consequences of the new Patents Act for the global availability of affordable
drugs.

MSF will continue analyzing the impact of India�s Patent Act on prices of
medicines, and will work with others to ensure that the mechanisms and
provisions allowed for in the law are fully implemented to ensure the widest
possible access to affordable life-saving medicines in developing countries.

MSF�s Liaison Office in India is therefore looking for;

Campaigner Access to Essential Medicines

The Access to Medicines Campaigner is responsible for following campaign issues
in India and advocating for access to medicines.

This includes providing direct support to the field teams in assuring access to
medicines from Indian producers for MSF projects as well as advocacy work on to
ensure continued access to Indian exports. The Campaigner will work in close
collaboration with the Head of Mission of MSF Holland and the Access to
Medicines Campaign as well as other MSF missions active in India in particular
MSF Belgium and MSF Spain.

Objectives of the position

Advocate for policies in India to stimulate access to affordable medicines in
India and in other developing regions. This will be mainly done through the
following strategies:

a.. Contribute to assuring access to medicines needed MSF projects
b.. Work on specific drugs that are needed by MSF but also could set
precedents regarding use of new Indian patent rules
c.. Actions to influence policies in India that may be detrimental for access to
medicines
d.. Follow developments regarding the Indian Patents Act and the
implementation of its recent amendments including (but not limited to) patent
ability criteria, automatic licensing and mailbox applications.
e.. Contribute to advocacy work in India for access to medicines through
collaboration with Indian NGOs, lawyers collective and (emerging) treatment
activist groups

Specific tasks:

a.. Propose and implement - in collaboration with the Campaign - actions and
strategies to influence policies in India that may be detrimental for access to
medicines in line with MSF�s current operational strategies

b.. Support MSF/campaign pharmacists to secure access to needed drugs
(first and second-line drugs on existing protocols) from generic drug
companies
c.. Build and maintain a network of like minded groups
d.. Follow developments in the Indian government with regard to access to
medicines and specifically with regard to the implementation of the new patents
act
e.. Work with the Campaign and the lawyers collective on pre grant
opposition to selected patent applications presently in the maibox
f.. In collaboration with the Campaign follow the deliberation of the
�Mashelkar Commission� on patentability criteria in India.
g.. Collaborate with MSF B in Mumbai and with MSF E in Bihar on joint
activities
h.. Represent MSF at relevant meetings

Requirements
� Understanding of and a strong affiliation with MSF campaigning
issues (medical, legal and advocacy)
� Strong organizational, networking and managements skills
� Familiarity with the Access Campaign for Essential Medicines and
PR management
� Ability to lobby with the local government and international
agencies present in India
� Experience in developing communication strategies
� Patience and diplomacy
� Able to adapt and respond to rapidly changing situation
� Excellent written and spoken English

______________________
Regards,
Leena Menghaney
Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit
63/2, 1st Floor, Masjid Road
Jangpura
New Delhi 110 014
Phone - 2432 1101, 2432 1102, 2432 2237
Fax    - 2432 2236
e-mail - aidslaw1@...

Dear Brian

Greetings from India!

I am an individual belonging to 'origin from a different country' still claiming
myself as an Indian - do you know why because i feel safe in India.

I came to india in search of seclusion while my country of origin had racial
calamities and my family was thrown out with all our money and properties lost
and burnt - who accepted us, none other than India.

Stop comparing countries and people. We probably do not know the local
situations. We cannot comment or make general statements without knowing the
current situation or getting first hand information. I would have been happy if
you would have first attempted to carry out to know the first hand information
and then attempted to do your best from your side - then it speaks of you being
so humble!

For your information India with all our problems - Kashmir, Bhuj - earthquake,
tsunami etc. are still attempting to solve our own problems and do not wait for
you people to come and help us. Help today is got from other countries and
accepted by India on empathetical grounds and not on sympathetic grounds.

First of all in the case of the two children i think the following has taken
place and i am willing for any correction if pointed out;

1. Both the children have been un ethically exposed to the media;

2. If Sushma Swaraj has been involved in some way or other with photographs and
posters taken with the children, NACO should have ensured that mere posters of
them would not do but a long term sustained rights of these children should have
been ensured;

3. It is high time that NACO incorporates the needs of the OVC and CAA within
their existing budget and priorities rendered to them with no dependencies made;

4. International agencies if willing to work in India, should cater to the needs
of the OVC and CAA in India with immediate effect because there are so many
hidden bensens and bencies and not only in Kerala;

5. It is simple....whomsoever has been working with these two children so far in
terms of exposing them to the media..etc. should do none other than produce the
children to the child welfare committee of the state (CWC) for which the latter
has been created and the solution comes by itself, where in their major work is
to resolve situations of need with the rights of the child being safeguarded and
in this case it would be speaking about the children's right to safety and
security (protective rights), right to education and living, etc.

6. Last but not least we from SFDRT in Pondicherry are working with the OVC and
CAA for the past 4 years with support so far, but learnt to live with the
funding disabilities having so much of confidence in us and have began to accept
and render institutionalized and out reach services to all children (who ever we
come across) in need of the CAA and OVC.....without any dependence on funding.
Therefore Benny and Bency can join us straight away if no other organizations
from Kerala are willing to take them without any dependencies.

Agreed sometimes we need a shake! but not at the country's sake

Let us be careful in words while we are tensed...to pull out ways and means to
deal with situations rather than comment.

We how ever welcome your help in need!

With warm regards
Shyamala Ashok
E-mail:aabinand@...

Dear Mr. Brian Hill and Esteemed Readers of this Forum,

I register my strong protest against Mr. Hill's last posting on "HIV-
positive siblings pin their hopes on Chandy" as a concerned citizen
of India.

At the outset, I must say that it is extremely derogatory
for the President of an organisation to use such a language, and
accuse and "label" the national character of a nation.

Please be advised that your "crocodile tears" and "outcry" for humanism from far
across the sea would turn most of us "off" rather than sensitising us on an
issue you are trying to advocate for.

Dear Mr. Hill, let me remind you that India has numerous examples of AIDS
orphans being taken care of by the extended family or state
institutions. Moreover, how are these two kids, Bency and Benson,
different from millions of underprivileged children who go hungry
(and virtually empty stomach!) every day? How are these two "AIDS
orphans" different from millions other "non-AIDS orphans?" Have you
ever asked or would you ever ask the same question "has India no soul or no
shame?" as far as millions of other poor, underprivileged non-AIDS orphan
children are concerned?

Remember, you are dealing with a developing nation where poverty is so
widespread that going hungry everyday is virtually a part of the daily routine
of millions of our citizens irrespective of their seropositive status,
especially where about 36 percent of a nation's population survive on less than
one dollar per day! I would rather assess the condition of these two children as
"privileged" compared to their "millions counterpart" who could not survive and
see their "fifth birthday" due to poverty, hunger, malnutrition and disease.

What makes Bency and Benson so special (other than they are Christian, and you
work for a Catholic Christian organisation) that national and international
media attention must be mobilised (as you say) as far as their chances of
survival is concerned? How could you compromise or have been compromising the
survival chances of millions others underprivileged, non-AIDS orphan children
who have died or who have been dying from poverty, hunger and disease?

I am NOT arguing that these children ought to be left behind either!

What I am concerned with is the "hypocrisy" of our activism whereby
we tend to create a layer of "privileged class" superseding other's
entitlements who might be "worst-off" (than those whom we advocate
for) on any definite set of criteria (in this case, one's
serostatus).

The way we have been trying to advocate for AIDS exactly create layers and
layers and layers of privileged classes over millions others dispossessed,
marginalised, and oppressed sections of the society. And the present one is a
classic example of this,
barring hundreds others, which I will cite later.

"Every orphan irrespective of his or her serostatus deserves humanism." I have
never seen India's President or Ms Sushma Swaraj or Chief Minister of Kerala
taking photographs with non-AIDS orphans and have such a wide media publicity as
Bency and Benson has.

We as AIDS-advocates argue "PLHAs" should be given free treatment for OIs; all
major testing and medicines should be free.

Mr Sashi Kumar from Alliance India once argued for a single window system in the
hospital for "PLHAs;" NGOs in Delhi advocate "PLHAs" should get a free DTC bus
pass; many advocate "PLHAs" should be given an employment, a job, economic
support to run small business; free food and nutrition support; education for
children, job for spouses; home for homeless "PLHAs" and hundreds other material
privileges based on one's serostatus; even to such extent that there should be a
separate queue in the hospital for "PLHAs;" and to quote one PLHA from my
earlier study in Delhi "we need to be treated as VIPs."

When there is no system in place for "general public," why should all these
privileges be instituted for PLHAs separately? If a "common man" does not get
what he deserves both from the society and the state, what does one's serostatus
make him/her so special that all these privileges be given to him/her
superseding other's entitlements? Or the argument here being that due to
activism "for PLHAs," general public would be benefited as a "by-product" of an
improved health and social system?

Sir, sitting in an air-conditioned office of a capitalist, developed, western,
industrialised world (Australia, with its imperial, colonialist history),
branding a nation as "soulless" or "shameless" is extremely derogatory, vulgar,
inhuman, oppressive, and hegemonic that legitimises a colonial interference.

As I said earlier, India has numerous examples of AIDS orphans being supported
by the extended family or state institutions.

I want to challenge the proposition made here by saying that "India has its soul
intact." That is why these two children are surviving at age 10 compared to
their millions counterpart who could not have better survival chances just
because they were not orphaned by HIV.

My final advice to Mr. Hill would be, "take these two orphans in Australia and
prove that Australia has both its soul and shame" if it is so easier for you to
pass such a blank judgement on a nation.

Sincerely
Subir K. Kole
Canadian Commonwealth Fellow
Research Fellow, East West Center 2004-08
Director (Research and Training)
Development Experts International
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
E-mail: subir@...

Dear Forum members,

How distressing to read this story that two-HIV positive children in Kerala who
depend on charity for their existence are now having to pin their hopes for
survival in a meeting with  Chief Minister Oomen Chandy. How did it get to this?

It's the ingoing saga of 10 year old Bency and nine year old Benson whose story
we ...The Australian AIDS Fund incorporated....carry on the Schools AIDS Day
page and the India page of our website www.aids.net.au in Australia.

It is not so long ago that these young children, together with their
grandfather, met with the President....photographs of which we posted with some
joy on our website. And now, so quickly abandoned.

I, Brian Haill, the founder/president of the Australian AIDS Fund...a small
Catholic AIDS charity based in Melbourne am obliged to ask the question: "Has
India no soul or no shame?"

Are the faces of Benson and Bency truly the faces of modern day India? Surely
not?

Would someone who may have access to the media in Kerala express..on our
behalf... the concerns of the Australian people at the way these two young
children are being basically left to their plight?

How much does it cost to provide food to these children and their
grandmother...in terms of Australian dollars per month? Who would advise us?

The world outside India would like to be kept informed of the ongoing
developments in this story,especially the outcome of the meeting with Chief
Minister Chandy.

Could someone who shares our concern for these childrenplease  post up an email
address for Chief Minister Chandy, and local news editors..so that we may
communicate our concerns directly. Perhaps this message could also be passed to
a representative of the Indo-Asian News Service.

Signed:

Brian Haill,
President,
The Australian AIDS Fund Inc.,
Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
Email: bhaill@...
Website: http://www.aids.net.au

My two paisa for National proactive initiative on HIV/AIDS - NACP - 2006

A lot has been already stated on this important discussion. My two paisa is for
Information Management component embarking on the increasingly tech savvy
organizations and individuals in India who could leverage upon this strength and
contribute their bit so that it helps all including those who cannot use
technology themselves. This shall also help to optimize the resources across the
borders and generally at a distance.

1. Acceleration of e-government initiatives and platforms to reduce
the costs wherever and whenever possible;

2. Since a lot of projects and programs grow in needs based
incremental fashion deviating from the original architecture, the idea is to try
and have the feedback mechanism even from disfranchised across all levels of
jurisdictions and work levels for mid term evaluations and re look.

3.Improve on mechanisms and frameworks to help implementing
agencies filter, find, organize and route critical information to those persons
who need it and when they need it.

4. Focusing on end-user features of the project implementation
cycle although it is a complicated and difficult task, yet it has the
potential to effectively deter stigma and discrimination.

5. Organizations face a variety of challenges in managing content
throughout the project cycle. These challenges routinely include dealing with
inefficient processes and activities, accelerating response times for both
normal program activities and unpredicted crises including the emotional ones.
The simplification of information management require organizations and
individuals to proactively integrate and rationalize technology where and when
it is feasible.

In Solidarity

Jagdish Harsh
E-mail: <jharsh@...>

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Country Director -India, International Center for Research on Women
(ICRW)

The ICRW India Country Director is a member of ICRW's senior
management team, and contributes inputs from the work in India and
the South Asia region to ICRW's global analysis of gender and
development and to its strategies to achieve its mission.  The
Country Director provides:  vision and leadership for ICRW's
strategies and business development to achieve its mission in India
and South Asia; effective management of an interdisciplinary team of
researchers, program experts, and administrative staff; and expert
technical knowledge in at least one area of ICRW's project work. The
Country Director reports to ICRW's Vice President in Washington,
D.C.

Principal Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership and Business Development
The India Country Director plays a leadership role in expanding
ICRW's visibility, reputation, and work in India; building networks
with likeminded institutions to promote its mission, and developing
opportunities for new areas of work and growth.  In this role, the
CD provides inspiration and guidance for India Office staff;
develops and maintains working relationships with key in-country
partners, donors and the ICRW-India Board; and works closely with
ICRW headquarters on strategic planning for business development in
India and the region.

2. Management
The India Country Director provides management supervision and
support for a staff of ten in New Delhi and two in Hyderabad, and
ensures compliance with ICRW financial and personnel systems, and
with the national laws of India.  In this role, the CD works closely
with India Office and headquarters staff to: a) coordinate project
activities in India; b) provide opportunities for dissemination of
results; c) facilitate new recruitment; d) conduct annual
performance evaluations; and e) assist in writing new proposals for
projects in India and the region.

3. Technical role

The Country Director is a recognized expert in gender and
development with strong research experience in at least one area of
ICRW's portfolio.  As such, the CD participates in or leads
technical project work, and provides general day-to-day project
guidance to staff, working closely with technical directors in
Washington.

Qualifications:
Requirements include: demonstrated leadership on gender and
development in India; at least ten years of management experience in
program or policy research; Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in
health, economics, or other appropriate social science; proven track-
record in non-profit fund-raising and business development;
excellent written and oral communication skills. Prior experience
working with international NGO's and donor agencies strongly
preferred.

E-mail resume with a cover letter to The Finance and Administrative
Officer at prasenjit@... , or fax to 95-11-2463 5142, or
send by mail to ICRW-India, Number 42, 1st floor, Golf Links, New
Delhi 110003 by 25th June 2005.


Arvind Das
International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW)
42, 1st Floor, Golf Links
New Delhi 110 003
Ph: 2465 4216/17,extn. 31
Fax: 2464 5142
E-mail: adas@...
Web: www.icrw.org

Dear Forum,

Since 1981, when NY Times reported the first cases of AIDS in USA, then called
GRID, and the silence by the Reagan/Bush administration in power in the USA, it
was the patients, who took it upon themselves to form groups like the Gay Men's
Health Crisis (GMHC) in NYC, and others in the west coast, to save their own
lives.

They fought the pharmaceutical companies for production of drugs, cheaper
prices, and by the mid-eighties had two representatives in each pharmaceutical
company, to monitor correct procedures in drug development, and quick approval
of drugs by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). ACT-UP, an organization
formed by Larry Kramer, used
civil disobedience to protest high drug prices.

They took it upon themselves to close down the bath houses, had teach-ins as to
the cause of the spread of AIDS, suggested use of condoms, and controlled the
spread, without much government help, till Clinton came to the scene in 1992,
and first used the words AIDS in speeches and really meant it. The first few
years of battle of AIDS patients is well documented in the book, �And The Band
Played On�.

Just a reminder though, that these were powerful, white, gay men.

It was due to these men, that in spite of being an epidemic, confidentiality was
kept paramount, though it is not true when someone contracts a STD like Syphilis
or Gonorrhoea, which is immediately reported to the health department.

I will refrain from commenting on the efficacy of such a law, which was done to
keep from discrimination at work.

I got a second lease on life, of course with my parents�, sisters�,
friends' and relatives' endearing care and help, but also because of the quick
marketing of ART or HAART drugs in 1995, which were rushed through FDA approval,
because of the activists.

I should probably mention here that when I was really sick, my dissertation
advisor Dr Robert Pruzek, we were colleagues then, invited my parents and me to
a wonderful bar-be-que at his house.

I was tested in 1992 (was diagnosed with CD4<200), I became involved
with people of Asian descent with HIV/AIDS, through APICHA in NYC,
founded by an American lady of Japanese descent, and API Wellness in San
Francisco.

While working with the South Asian group in USA, I had to constantly remind the
well-meaning members of the group, that having a computer
network would be useless (other than for students), since the most
susceptible of Asians, the single men, or married men, without their
families, living in USA, were taxi drivers, unskilled or semi-skilled
labourers, who would never possess or use a computer. They would be
better served by having posters in grocery stores where they shop, and probably
on the South Asian TV networks, which they watch.

The reason I give this brief history, is that in India, we have a
different scenario:

1) AIDS has first affected more women, who are generally, economically, more
disadvantaged than men.

2) It is affecting children. The testing of paediatric use of AIDS drugs is
still in its infancy even in the USA. Perhaps, we in India could start ethically
sound trials on children, and move research ahead. Vertical transmission has
been virtually eliminated by use of a single drug, nevirapine, cheaper than AZT,
though its �single� drug use on pregnant seropositive women can make that woman,
resistant to that class of drugs, viz.  NNRTIs, later.

3) We have produced AIDS drugs cheaply, and are supplying them to
African countries. In a recent documentary on AIDS in Kenya, all the
shots, which panned on drugs, were made by CIPLA.

4) We are generally (except for the small, yet growing middle class)
bound by a slightly different code of �sexual morality� than the west. Our
sodomy laws were instituted by the British, and left in place, after they left.

Having NACO and UNAIDS, and all the other private donors like Elton John
Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, would be to naught, if we cannot
get the PLHAs to be active participants in ALL forums or conferences. To just
shake hands with them in hospital beds is not enough.

As our so-called �illiterate� electorate has shown time and again, that they are
not mere thumbprints on ballots, so will the PLHAs show, that when their life is
at stake, they have plenty of input, and should be included in any discussion.
Please involve them, or at least let them be an audience, so they can protest
when things go wrong with those who formulate policies.

I know that under the second Bush�s policies, abstinence gets primary
focus, and funding depends on it. However, we have always produced cheap
condoms. As a matter of fact most condoms sold in the USA, are produced in
India.

Lastly, adherence to ART drug regimens is vital, regarding the time it is taken,
and not missing a single dose, since the virus conveniently mutates and becomes
drug resistant if such strict adherence fails. This should be the primary focus
for PLHAs who get ART, and those who administer them. There was a program
started by CDC called Prevention for/by Positives. Empower those PLHAs taking
ART drugs, to reduce the burden on social workers, who are probably responsible
for making sure patients adhere to their regimens. These PLHAs may also choose
to help disseminate information on how AIDS spreads.

Perhaps the gravity of the AIDS pandemic would be made clearer if
someone simplifies the terms and pictorially depicted the various
classes of drugs, viz. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
(NRTs), Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptor Inhibitors (NNRTIs),
Protease Inhibitors (PIs) and Fusion Inhibitor , and how they inhibit
t-cell destruction and show them on TV ads.

This will enlighten the people that it is a disease like any other, and also
emphasize the various ways to keep the virus from attacking T-cells in our body,
and how difficult a task it is. It will also tell people why we need multiple
drugs to keep someone well, and how wily this virus is.

Use the PLHAs (who are willing, or in shadows) to showcase what would
happen if the general public does not change sexual habits. They will be a
powerful force, instead of just stating it as a fact. They each will have a
story to tell and give a face or shadow to this terrible epidemic.

This could also generate income for the PLHAs. They will leave a better imprint
than Buladi on Kolkata TV, on the audience.

A warning: Do not use ONLY  healthy looking men or women to advertise about
HIV/AIDS, as they do for AIDS drugs in the USA. It definitely sends a wrong
message that it is OK to get AIDS and live with it.

Wishing for utopia,
Priyadarshi Datta
E-mail: <thurpu@...>

Dear Rajan Gupta,

Thanks for articulating the right parameters, to evaluate accurately the
effectiveness of the HIV/AIDS national management.

Mere estimates of HIV infections based on sentinel surveillance are at best
torch lights searching for whales in oceans. The findings leave us with more
questions than answers, more presumptions than  understanding into the real
issues.

It's time that a national qualitative assessment is put in place. Most of your
categories should definitely be explored in such a worthwhile study.

I would merely add that any data thrown by the NGOs or any other agency for that
matter would be either subjective or accused of being subjective and hence would
lead us nowhere yet again.

But random sample surveys conducted separately for high-risk and general
populations, on a scientific basis for the whole nation, covering most of the
issues you have raised in terms understandable for the common man, is certainly
not an impossible task and would guide us year after year into the right path.

Let the Govt. take the lead and design a common study. It will never be the want
of NGOs or an independent reputable agency to implement the program for the
Govt. in each district as you have proposed on a time-framed manner every year. 
The margin of error would certainly be broader than the blood samples study, but
they can be contained to an acceptable level, over a few years of attempt.

Thanks yet again for a commendable initiative.

E.Rajarethinam
E-mail: <gct@...>

Dear FORUM,

I had the Opportunity of attending Inter-Faith Round Table for Prevention and
Control of HIV/AIDS at Bangalore from June 18-19, 2005
The Round table was a big success.  Please find enclosed here with the Bangalore
consensus for  the information of the Group.

INTER-FAITH ROUND TABLE FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF HIV and AIDS
BANGALORE, JUNE, 18-19, 2005

We the faith leaders, who met as the Inter-Faith Round Table on Prevention and
Control of HIV and  AIDS at Bangalore on June 18-19, 2005, do here by reaffirm
and endorse the �Delhi Declaration � of Dec 1-2, 2004, adopted during the First
International Inter-Faith Conference on HIV/AIDS held in Delhi.

We recognize the need for all faiths to rise to the aid to scientific delivery
by supporting the development of scientific tools and advanced medical
technology in order to mitigate the human pain and sufferings caused by HIV and
AIDS.

We also commit our special expertise, experiences, resources and available
healthcare infrastructures for providing holistic healing, compassionate care,
support and treatment to people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

We reaffirm that religions, faiths, spiritual traditions, sacred texts and
scriptures exert powerful, positive, both direct  and indirect influences, as
well as moral authority on the life of individuals, communities, and societies,
at local, regional and national levels.

We reiterate the critical need for overcoming the prevailing silence, stigma,
denial and fear attached to the epidemic.

While endorsing the excellent work done by the south Asia Inter-Religious
Council on HIV and AIDS (SAIRC) � a body supported by the UNICEF and WCRP, this
�Bangalore Consensus� also appreciates  the excellent leadership being provided
by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) India, USAID, UNICEF, World Bank,
UNAIDS, DFID, SHRC, IAVI, Global Fund, and other International Organization and
NGOs in Prevention and Control of HIV and AIDS.

We once again resolve that the foundational principles enunciated in the Delhi
Declaration need to be translated into a framework of action of supporting
national AIDS control programmes, and for follow-up, making an immediate impact
on the efforts already made for the prevention and control of HIV and AIDS, as
well as for providing care, support and treatment to its victims.

We appeal to all religions and faith based organizations, spiritual movements
and spiritual leaders at all levels to strive for aligning their actions and
activities in accordance with this Consensus, and to contribute to strengthening
the local, regional and national responses.

Those interested in knowing more details about Inter-Faith activities may
contact

T.P.Radhakrishnan,
E-mail: tpr54@...,  Tpr_1000@...

Or

Dr. K. Balachandra Kurup, Ph.D.
E-mail: balan_kurup@...

Hear Hear

The "Trichur Model" is one of the best models in the Asian world and it is so
because it didn't require the heavens to move to get it started or to keep it
going.

It normalises HIV medicine into main stream medicine where it belongs

It inspires confidence amongst staff and patients alike.

It is respected by law enforcement officers

It has a practical hands on approach with medical specialities being
involved as referred and only as required for crisis patient care.

It is community focussed and the service users have confidence in the treatment
and the advice provided.

It didn't require large grants or specialised facilities.

I may have forgotten some of the pointers but I will never forget the experience
of a day in the life of the HIV/AIDS clinic there in Kerala.

Dr Ajith sees the vision as clearly as anyone in medicine in India and his
efforts have paid off well for the KSACS and the people in his catchment area
which should start reflecting lower and lower new infections and better and
better care when centres of excellence are finally recognised as places where
roll out of ARV's can be sub contracted safely instead of rigid central control
and the kudos that comes from such publicity stunts.

Geoffrey
E-mail: <gheaviside@...>