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Dear FORUM,

Mariette and David have raised some very thought provoking questions indeed.

Re: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS-INDIA/message/8011

While we do know of their interest in medical injections and other parenteral
exposures through this site, I would like to look at the questions they have
raised through existing paradigms. In short, if we stick to the sexual route
theory:

Firstly, why is it that people in the next-to-highest wealth quintile are most
likely to be infected with HIV?

Is it because sexual experimentation goes on in all strata of society, and this
group has the financial wherewithal to pay for their pleasures, without being
overly concerned about ensuring safe sex?

Secondly, the assumption that men with multiple partners have been driven to it
because of a long absence from their homes (the poor dears) is a fallacy, as any
one who has seen an STI clinic would safely vouch. Hence, just as it is no
surprise that men who have never left home develop STIs, it is no surprise that
men "who have been away for more than one month at a time have the same HIV
prevalence rate as men who have not been away at all."

"Women with an STI or symptoms of an STI have a slightly higher HIV prevalence
rate (0.29) than other women (0.26 percent). However,contrary to expectation,
men with a recent STI or STI symptoms have a lower HIV prevalence than other
men."

If we accept the parenteral route as the significant source, how come there is a
disparity between the genders? This needs explaining. Is it because men fall
sick more often, getting more parenteral exposure or do they have a more
positive health seeking behaviour? Or are we missing a trick here?

Regards the comment: For over 27,000 married couples, ... Results... indicate
that both partners were HIV positive for 0.11 percent of couples. The remaining
0.39 percent of couples had discordant HIV results... For 82 percent of these
discordant couples, the husband was HIV positive and the wife was HIV negative."

Males have traditionally been more open to experimenting with sex outside the
marital bond . That's what we are seeing here, and also perhaps a lot of women
who are in the incubation period.

I do not mean to disparage the efforts or line of thinking of the authors, nor
do I speak in defence of the survey but merely respond to their request for a
discussion as requested (as a devils advocate if you will).

Sincerely,

Deepak Batura
e-mail: <d_batura@...>

Dear all,

This is indeed a great initiative taken up by the Human Rights Law Network.The
same should be also applies to travelling by plane. In many North Easter States,
air travel is  not a luxury but a life line.

PLHAs are being deprived of their rights in terms of accessing health
care services,education,employment and even inheritance of property rights.
People living with HIV/AIDS should be equally treated with other general
populations, they should not be label or branded as "a
disease of IDUs/MSM/Sex worker".

But, my concern at this critical time is "how long it will take to endorse the
new proposal?"We need to put an extra effort to push
the decision makers to make it possible at the earliest.

Regards

Ishwarchandra Haobam
Regional Focal Point- South Asia
Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS,
Project Coordinator,
Social Awareness Service Organization,
IDUs Project

Phone:91-0385-2411408
Fax: 91-0385-2411409
Mobile:91-9856136300
Email:ishwarchandra@.../ishwar.haobam@...
www.youthaidscoalition.org

Feminisation of HIV in India is disturbing: WHO

Hyderabad, Oct 31:  The number of young women affected by HIV in
India is twice that of young men, a World Health Organisation (WHO)
official said here Tuesday, adding that the "feminisation" of the
disease was a very "disturbing fact".

Referring to a study by UNAIDS in 2006, Manjula Lusti-Narasimhan,
technical officer, sexual and reproductive health and HIV, WHO, said
that nearly 39 percent of the people affected by HIV are women and
that young women in the age group of 15-24 are twice as much affected
than men. This was worrisome, she added.

"The increasing feminisation of HIV in India, among the younger lot,
is not a good sign," Narasimhan said.

Approximately 2.5 million people in India are affected by HIV. And
though a lot has been talked about it, many experts feel that nothing
concrete has been done in this context.

"There is far too much of dialogue, too much of lip service and
tokenism. But when it comes to actually tackling the problem,
especially when it concerns the youth, nothing much has been done,"
said Lester Coutinho of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation,
India.

Coutinho has conducted a programme aimed at spreading awareness about
HIV/AIDS in the tribal areas of Bihar and Jharkhand for eight years.

"What I realised is that if you want to have a youth programme, then
let the youth handle everything with the vision that they will not be
doing this forever. They simply pass on the responsibility to the
next batch.

"In India, we often have adults conducting youth programmes. You
can't have adults doing everything, they can lead. Young people
understand the needs of their peers so they will understand the
demands of how to address the issue," Coutinho pointed out.

According to Coutinho, two things need to be kept in mind while
conducting awareness programmes amongst the youth.

"First, the youth must be made to realise why they need the
knowledge. Simply advocating the issue is not enough. Secondly, they
need to challenge the adult-led world and be confident that they can
lead the way," he said.

Purnima Mane, deputy executive director of United Nations Population
Fund (UNFPA), said the stigma attached to being HIV infected was the
biggest challenge in tackling the disease.

"And you can imagine when it is a woman being affected. The stigma is
double," Mane said.

According to WHO statistics, 10.3 million young people, in the age
group of 15-24, are affected by HIV across the world.

"7,000 people are affected by HIV everyday. That is an alarming
number. But the fact that not as many actually go on to become AIDS
patients is a ray of hope," Mane told IANS.

IANS

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=56850

Dear Colleagues and Friends

Output-Based Aid (OBA) is a relatively noble approach to financing and 
delivering service. Voucher schemes to generate demand have used in  several
Asian countries.

The OBA voucher approach clearly recognises the growing importance of the
private sector to reach the public  health objectives.

The basic idea of OBA is to delegate specific services to certified health care
providers under contracts that link payments on certain output and results for
specific target group.

Voucher programs, if well designed and administered can help to
achieve a broad range of common policy goals: improving equity,
efficiency, quality and access to services.

The Output based voucher concept envisages financing agreed outputs,
rather than pre-defined inputs, by selling vouchers to the
beneficiaries at subsidized price. However, voucher approach have the
potential to increase use of services by target populations, engage
the private providers, increase competition, and improve quality of
service by providers.

Specific marginalised groups can be targeted that share a
characteristic or have an identifiable illness, for example infant
and young children with specific age group, pregnant women, high risk
groups such as sex workers for STIs, etc. and can redeem the vouchers
in exchange for pre defined services like STI diagnosis and
treatment, delivery assisted by skilled health personnel, VCTC etc.
in certified health facilities.

Such schemes overcome the problem of access to cash because they do not require
any advance payment for care. A small number of successful examples of running
voucher schemes (e.g. RH/FP including maternal health: in Bangladesh, China,
Kenya, cash subsidies to pregnant women for institutional delivery in AP, India
and insecticide-treated bed nets for pregnant women and
children in Tanzania).

A competitive voucher scheme has been shown to be an effective means of reaching
high-risk groups and providing good quality of diagnosis and treatment of STIs
in Nicaragua and Uganda.

As we all know that private sector plays a dominant role in the
delivery of medical and health care services in India. It is
estimated that more than 80 per cent of the people use the private
sector for outpatient care and more than 50 per cent for in-patient
care.

Therefore, I am very much interested to learn from you all that is
there any initiatives undertaken in NACP III or any other initiatives
following the OBA Voucher approach in reaching and targeting people
particularly engaging private sector providers who plays significant
role in primary health care.

Look forward to learn from your experiences.

Biswajit Panda
e-mail: biswajit71@...
Mobile: 0091-9433141853

Dear FORUM,

I absolutely agree with Joshy Basil as to why are we unnecessarily
both individuals and organizations trying to brand HIV/AIDS as one
and only the major issue in our country which will result more
stigma for HIV infected and affected.

I have served for about 7years in the field or HIV/AIDS as
Scientist and infact beginned my career with HIV/AIDS as a field
and always felt that HIV/AIDS is a major issue but now when I look
back after working in other fields that there are many other equally
important issues which are affecting our growth.

Crore's of Rupees are spent on the HIV/AIDS and on ARV treatment to prolong
their lives…

I am not saying that we should not help but at the same time
want to put light on the other issues which are equally important
and need attention for the betterment of the society and country in
general.

I just want to ask everyone as what are we doing about other equally serious
issues like unemployment, poverty, drop out students, child labor and street
children, harassment etc. NGOs are in every field and working for the cause but
it that enough?

Government is trying but is that enough. I guess government should
work much harder towards this…specially vigilance over the
corruption which is another aspect of hampered growth and finally
what are we as a citizen? Are we aware of the rights and
responsibilities?

I think if every month if we visit one nearest NGO and ask for information, we
will one the ways t we will know the about the other issues and rights and
responsibilities.

Thank you
Yasmeen Shaikh
e-mail: yasmiins@...

Pension/Scholarship/Indira Awas for the Widows or family members of AIDS victims

There is a ray of hope for the widows whose husbands have been died of AIDS in
Orissa. The Health Minister Mr. Duryodhan Majhi has declared in the first
meeting of the State Council on AIDS that the widows would get pension in case
of the death of their husbands or head of family member in AIDS. There would be
age relaxation in this case.

After the meeting, the Health Minister said that more emphasis would be given
for the public awareness on HIV/AIDS. The Orissa State AIDS Control Society will
outreach to a larger number of population for massive awareness in collaboration
with the Department of School and Mass Education, Higher Education, Steel and
Minning, Industry, Panchayatiraj, Women and Child Development, Housing and Urban
Development etc.

One nodal officer would be appointed to carry out the campaign on HIV/AIDS in
respective Departments and relevant expenses will be incurred from the concerned
department only.

All the PRI representatives, ICDS workers, SHGs, elected representatives of
municipal corporations and staff would be actively involved in the campaign and
necessary training programmes will be organized for all of them. Awareness
Campaing will be organized for all the migrant labours staying in 95 slums of
Gujarat by using posters and audio-visuals. A group of officers will go to
Gujarat
for the campaign from Orissa.

Scholarship would be given to those children whose parents have been died of
AIDS or infected by HIV. Special Indira Awas would be provided to such families.

Debate Competition will be organized on HIV/AIDS in all colleges in every year.

The best ICDS workers for identifying maximum number of PLHAs would be awarded
by the State Government.

Free Condom will be distributed in all public toilets, Dhabas and red light
areas. Most of the migrant labours are being the victim of the epidemic in the
state. Currently 19 NGOs have been involved for the spreading awareness in
different parts of the state.

As per the estimate from January 2002-September 2007, 7372 persons have been
detected as HIV +ve after the screening of 2012446 blood samples in Orissa.
Currently 902 persons are in AIDS stage. 685 persons have already died of AIDS.

As per the research findings, 83% people are getting HIV through sexual route.
The Hindustan Latex Ltd has set up condom vending machine in Cuttack,
Bhubaneswar and Berhampur.  Provision had been created to distribute adequate
condoms in Malisahi of Bhubaneswar city.

As per the survey in 2006, there is 0.2% people are infected by HIV. Ganjam
being the highest prevalent district of the state having 3.5% people with
HIV/AIDS. Orissa has been divided into three categories by taking into account
the HIV prevalence rate/vulnerability to HIV infection.

Ganjam, Anugul, Bolangir and Bhadrak districts are under Category “A”, 
Balasore, Khurda, Koraput are coming under “B” and Boudh, Cuttack, Deogarh,
Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Kalahandi, Kendrapara and Keonjhar districts are falling
under Category “C”.

One Steering Committee would be formed in the state for the public awareness and
prevention of HIV. The Chief Secretary would be the Chairperson of the proposed
committee.

Courtesy: SAMBAD, Oriya Daily on 30th October 2007
__________________

Shashikant Mallick
e-mail: <Shashikant.Mallick@...>

Dear Colleagues,

This is a notice to Civil Society Organizations to get registered
on-line on www.indiaccm.org <http://www.indiaccm.org/>   to be a part of the
Civil Society Constituency of the India-Country Coordinating
Mechanism (INDIA CCM).

All registered members of the constituency will be eligible to vote for eligible
candidates to represent them at the CCM. Currently, vacancies exist for
representatives of the TB, Malaria and Gender sectors.

All Civil Society Organizations are requested to visit -
http://www.ngogateway.org:9080/unaids/bitstream/1/287/1/Advertisement+GF
ATM+India+CCM.JPG and register

<http://www.indiaccm.org/registration/index.asp>  on the India CCM
accordingly.

Although the last date to register is 9th of November, there may be
excessive load on the server in the last few days. Hence, it is
recommended that all the NGOs register early.


Sarita Jadav

UNAIDS
A-2/35 Safdarjung Enclave
New Delhi -110 029
Tel -41354545, Extn 315
mail- <jadavs@...>
web - www.unaids.org.in

Dear Forum,

Andhra Medical College, KGH, Visakhapatnam is one of the busy ART
Centre in AP.  PLHIV & CLHIV from AP and Orissa also getting ARV from
this centre.  I am one of the PLHIV who is getting ART from this
centre from last 9 months. This is the observation I want to share
with you.

1.  KGH is one of the Busy ART center in AP

2.  Pediatric ART also available in this Centre.

3.  There is no sufficient place for PLHIV to sit/stand who were
waiting for their turn.

4.  Very small place for Counselling.

5.  There is no seperate counselling room for male and female.

6.  I observe that the staff working in ART Centre are very
frustrated.  The reaction of their   frustration always be on the
PLHIV.

7.   Before two months there was a bottle of water but now there is
no Safe drinking water atleast normal water facility in ART Centre.

We are begging for water in the ART Centre. I want to present one
incident happened on tuesday 23.10.2007. One of the CLHIV who was
thirsty, his mother asking for water all staff but no body gave her
water.  Lastly she went out of the gate and purchased the water, till
the boy was crying because of thirst, but I saw there is no humanity
in the hospital.  One water can was there in the doctor chamber, but
they told that: that water only for the staff not for the PLHIV.

8.  There is no toilet facility.  If there is facility but nobody
knows about it.  There is no information board .

9.  There is no proper guidance for reference.  People are roaming
here and there without guidance for the testing like CD4, X-ray,
VDRL, Sputum etc, counseling and treatment.  If there will be proper
guidance by the staff people can save their lot of time and get the
treatment early.

10.  One of my friend was taking ART from this Centre suddenly she
advised to stop the treatment after fifteen days when she got skin
rashes without any counseling and referal.  Till now she dont where
to go next for treatment.  The Sixth month was over to this incident.

11.  Till know there is confusion of testing of CD4 & Blood test for
CLHIV whether Pediatric ward will do the test or the VCCTC & Chemical
Lab.

12.  Because of heavy rush in the centre Doctor can't give sufficient
time to the PLHIV. for example I am taking ART from Feburary 2006.

In February 2007 my CD4 was 333 but this October 2007 my CD4 is
decreased to 248.  But there was no proper information given by
Doctor why this happen or he didn't gave me advise to increase it.

Still I am confused Doctor didn't ask me a single word about the CD4
decrease.  Just he prescribed Tab. Septran.

13.  People from other state like Orissa which is very nearer to
Visakhapatnam are going to get the treatment from this ART Centre the
people are suffering because of language, who don't know telugu
language and staff also don't know the NATIONAL LANGUAGE-"HINDI"

Counselor not able to provide counseling to this people and advising
them to take the treatment from their state which is not possible for
the people.  As you know there is Only One ART Centre in ORISSA.

If the staff will learn NATIONAL LANGUAGE then it will be better for the people
who are coming from other states and who doesn't know TELUGU.

I request the forum and Positive networks to please give your kind
suggestions and attention on this issue to improve the quality of
treatment in ART Centres.  So, PLHIV can access the treatment and
services easily

Regards

SANTOSH KUMAR.K
Gen. Secretary, NKP+
KORAPUT. ORISSA
e-mail: <kumarpositive@...>

Dear friends,

I am Mamata, a Bhubaneswar based social worker, is planning to submit my
synopsis for Ph.D Registration. I would like to opt the topic on IDUs for the
same.

If possible, could u please help me to provide the  data on no. of IDUs in
Bhubaneswar city and how many among them are affected from HIV and AIDS till
date.

Thanking u,

With Regards,

Mamata.
e-mail: <mamata_puhan@...>

Dear Forum,

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

On 15th November, Positive Women Network (PWN+); the only national
self-help organization focusing entirely on issues of women living
with HIV, is holding a Public Hearing in New Delhi. The Public
Hearing will address the discrimination faced by women and children
living with HIV and AIDS in the health settings.

PWN+ urgently needs volunteers to help at the Public Hearing. We need
volunteers who can help with:

Minutes documentation
Translation (Hindi to English/English to Hindi)
Hall arrangements
To coordinate the voice raisers

The Public Hearing takes place on 15th November between 10am to 2p.m
at:

Indian Social Institute,(ISI)
10- Institutional Area,
Lodi Road,
New Delhi - 110003.

If you think you can help at this important and high-profile event,
please contact the PWN+ office on:

Telephone: 011 4051 8918
                 or
Address: E-882, 1st floor, Chitranjan Park (C.R. Park)
Near 2 No. Market
New Delhi - 110019

Or

contact the following representatives of PWN+
Lakshmi – Mobile: 09868810103
Shweta – Mobile: 09312362023
Freya – Mobile: 9999564473

Many thanks,

All at Positive Women Network.
e-mail: <suseelaanand@...>

Dear members,

Re: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS-INDIA/message/7990

This is in continuation of the email exchanges and the issues raised by Ashok
Rau and Sanghamitra. I fully agree that the issues raised are very pertinent and
needs to be reexamined without any bias.  As organizations implementing C & S in
Karnataka, we have the right to know the background of the evaluators and their
competence.

We also need to be fully involved in this process of evaluation and it should
not have been the one-sided process that it was. In fact, many of us were not
even aware that we were evaluated.  Irrespective of what category that our
centers have been placed at, NACO and SACS have a responsiblity to the patients
and should clarify all the issues raised.

Thanks,

Dr.R.Balasubramaniam
President
Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement
Hanchipura Road, Saragur,
H D Kote Taluk, Mysore District - 571 121
Karnataka, INDIA
Ph: 91 8228 265412, 265413, 265877
Mobile: 094480 79611
Email:drrbalu@...
www.svym.net

Dear Forum Members,

This is a response to all the mails what I have been going through past 3 years.

I feel unnescarily individuals and organizations are trying to brand
HIV/AIDS as one and only the major issue in our country which will result more
stigma for HIV infected and affected.

It is high time that we should be willing to accept that HIV as equal as any
other terminal illness,kindly remember all other terminal illness
had same or even impact during its begining. Humble request to all of u once
again to stop branding HIV which will result reduction productivity in all the
aspect.

Thanks & Regards
Joshy Basil
e-mail: <joshybasil@...>

Dear All,

On behalf of Delhi Network of Positive People(DNP+) and the Love Life Society,
Human Rights Law Network filed a PIL petitioning the same travel concession to
HIV positive people as received by those suffering from other "chronic and
incurable" diseases.

The Government of India, through the Indian Railways, provide a discount of 75%
on the cost of tickets bought by those suffering from "chronic and incurable
"diseases. The diseases include tuberculosis, leprosy, cancer etc. Concessions
have also been provided to farmers, widows, defense personnel etc but not to
PLHAs.

In a significant order on 19th october, the Delhi high Court asked an
explanation of the Railways as to why fare concession could not be provided to
the PHLAs traveling for treatment, on the same basis as the benefit extended to
cancer patients.

The division Bench directed the Railway Board Chairman to convene a meeting with
the Health Ministry and take a decision over the issue. Further, they were asked
to investigate the possibility of extending the railway concession to
PHLAs tarvelling to various hospitals, located in different places in the
country, for their treatment.

Thankyou

Regards,
Human Rights Law Network,
576 Majid Road,
Jungpura
New Delhi.
e-mail: <hri.delhi@...>

Dear friends ,

I am working in HIV AIDS care and support project.

I am facing a problem that one of PLHA recently tested the Drug resistence test
in chennai. He is also hemophilia Patient.

His report has shown that 3TC,FTC,DLV,EFV,NVP tablets are high level drug
resistence and ABC,AZT,D4T,DDI,,TDF tablets are Low level resistence.

The Health Care Provider also told that Tenofovir is also not suitable due to
hemopilia.

Please, could forum members share your views on this case and help us to
uderstand his sitation.

Thanking you

D.Saravanan

Thirunelveli
Mobile: 9840102859
e-mail: <saravanancool@...>

Multiple vacancies at CASP (Community AID and Sponsorship Program)
in Gujarat (based at Ahmedabad), Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and
Deu.

Posted by: "CASP" Community AID and Sponsorship Program

CASP invites applications from committed development professionals
for the project Gujarat TSU (Technical Support Unit). The TSU is a
three (3) year project, which is supported by the National AIDS
Control Organization (NACO). The main objective of setting up a TSU
is to support State HIV /AIDS programs particularly Gujarat, DD, DN
State AIDS Prevention Society (s) in the areas of targeted
interventions, strategic planning, capacity building, HIV
mainstreaming and private /public partnership.

1. Program Officer (STI, HIV Surveillance, Care and Support): 1
positions based in Ahmedabad

The Program Officer (STI, HIV Surveillance Care and Support) will be
responsible for supporting district level programs, targeted
interventions, strengthening services for STI, HIV surveillance,
care & support, and social marketing of condoms. The Program Officer
will closely work with high-risk groups such as FSWs, MSM and
Transgenders.

* Qualification and Experience: MBBS with at least 3 years
clinical experience or MD in a clinical field such as General
medicine, Skin & STD, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Pediatrics, or
Community Medicine, and having worked with and taken care of people
living with HIV and AIDS, for at least 1-2 years. Ability to work
with a multidisciplinary team, experience with designing and
developing training modules and ability to set up and
directly provide services for the HIV infected and affected
populations. Knowledge of the local language and skills in computer
use   Epi-Info, SPSS are essential.

2. Project Officer (Programme): 2 positions based in Dadra and Nagar
Haveli & Daman and Diu.

The Program Officer (Programme) will be responsible for supporting
the programs. The incumbent will be responsible for planning and
developing  outreach strategies for high-risk groups, target
interventions, advocacy and HIV mainstreaming.

* Qualification and Experience: Postgraduate in social work and
Social sciences, Health Administration  with at least 5-8 years experience in
the HIV field, having worked with people living with HIV and AIDS. Ability to
work with a multidisciplinary team, experience with designing and developing
training modules and documents and reports is useful. Knowledge of the local
language and skills in computer use  MS Office, SPSS, Epi info are added
advantage.

3. Project Officer (M& E): (1 position based in Ahmedabad)

The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer will be responsible for data
compilation and analysis related to the HIV prevention, care and
support programs in all the districts of Gujarat. The Officer will
also compile monthly and quarterly reports, and sort out technical
problems with the data.

* Qualification and Experience: Post graduation degree in
Demography/ Statistics/ Applied mathematics with 4-5 years of
relevant experience in program monitoring and evaluation.

4. Project Officer (Advocacy and Documentation): (1 position based
in Ahmedabad)

The Advocacy and Documentation Officer is responsible for supporting
and documenting the advocacy, community mobilization, and HIV main
streaming activities, and managing the capacity building needs of
the projects at the district level.

* Qualifications & experience: Post Graduation in Journalism
and Mass Communication / English / or other relevant discipline.
* 5-8 years relevant experience working with Govt / NGO
sectors, designing and implementing advocacy programs, working with
community groups and policy makers. Knowledge of local language and
experience in the HIV sector would be an added advantage.

6. Finance Officer: 1 position based in Ahmedabad.

The Finance Officer  will be responsible for TSU finance management.
The Officer  will support the Gujarat, DD, D&N, State AIDS
Prevention Societie (s) to generate quarterly and annual financial
reports, and support financial and procurement policies. Ability to
monitor and control accounting activities related to the TSU and
maintain records.

* Qualification & experience: Charted Accountant/MBA (Finance)
with 5-6 years of experience. Excellent computer skills, usage of
Tally package, MS-Excel is required. Sound knowledge of financial
system and procedures. Or B-com with 10-15 years of experience in
developmental sector handling large programmes.

7. Finance and Administration Assistant : 1 position based in
Ahmedabad.

The Finance and Administration assistant   will be responsible for
supporting TSU financial management. The Assistant  will support the
Gujarat, DD, D&N, State AIDS Prevention Societie (s) to generate
quarterly and annual financial reports, and support financial and
procurement policies. He /she will be responsible for routine
Administrative work.
* Qualification & experience: Charted Accountant/MBA (Finance)
with 5-6 years of experience. Excellent computer skills, B-com with
3-4  years of experience in developmental sector.

8. Admin Associates: 1 position based in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, 1
position based in Daman and Deu, 1 position based in Ahmedbad.

The Admin Associate will be responsible for support service
functions,
including office administration, travel and logistics, maintenance
of files and records, event management, bank transaction work and
management of front office related works.

* Qualification and Experience: Any graduate with 3-5 years of
relevant experience working in office settings in a supportive role.
Good interpersonal, communication and computer skills. Local
language is essential

* Excellent knowledge of PC operations

All of the above positions demand excellent communications and
computer skills. Preferences will be given to candidates who know
Hindi and Gujarati and have work experience with NGOs and HIV
programs. Positions from 1-5 involve extensive travel. Please send
your latest resume indicating the post applied for, to the following
address, by 31st October 2007. Shortlisted candidates will be called
for an interview during the first week of November at Ahmedabad.
Note: Please write one page note on why you feel you are fit for the
job you are applying for, what you will contribute if you are
selected.

Women candidates are encouraged to apply. Equally qualified People
Living with HIV/AIDS  (PLHAS) are encouraged to apply.

To,

Executive Director
CASP- Community AID and Sponsorship Programme.
Jobs.casp@... or cpo_casp@...

West Bengal: HIV-positive pregnant woman quarantined in hospital
Statesman News Service

KRISHNAGAR, Oct. 28: An HIV-positive pregnant woman was left
unattended for hours at Kalyani Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hospital in
Nadia today. The woman was moved to an isolated bed with a sticker on
the forehead marking her as an HIV-positive patient. The patient has
yet not been given proper treatment.

The patient, Pinki Biswas (name changed), a resident of Gayeshpur in
Kalyani, was diagnosed with HIV-Positive during a routine check-up on
23 October when she had come to the hospital for admission for
pregnancy-related problems.

The patient was advised to get admitted on 27 October but thanks to
some problems, could not make it there yesterday. When Pinki reached
the hospital today ~ accompanied by her husband, a daily labourer in
the locality ~ she was denied admission by a section of hospital
employees.

The patient's relatives contacted a local NGO and after its
intervention, the hospital authorities admitted her. Ms Arati Das, a
representative of the NGO, said that they had contacted Dr Nirupam
Biswas, superintendent of the hospital, who asked the ward master to
admit the patient like any other pregnant woman.

But the employees kept her in an isolated bed after pasting the
sticker on her forehead, which is completely illegal and inhuman, Ms
Das said.

"We have contacted the West Bengal State HIV/AIDS Prevention and
Control Society (SACS) and asked them to take action in this regard",
she added.

When asked about the matter, Dr Biswas said: "I have already
instructed the ward master to admit the patient and provide proper
treatment like other patients. If anybody has marked the patient by
putting a HIV sticker, proper action will be initiated."

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=174736

Dear All,

Re: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS-INDIA/message/8012

TB coinfection is really taking a dangerous turn among PLHIVs. I have a recent
primary data of MDR tuberculosis with AIDS patients.

Out of 28 AIDS cases with TB co infection whose sputum was put on culture and
sensitivity, 4 had resistance again the two first line Primary Drugs, Rifampicin
and Isoniazide.

Few of our training participants ( Senior Treatment Supervisors- Revised TB
Control Prog, DOTS) from Jharkhand have also acknowledged the similar trend.


Dr Diwakar Tejaswi
Medical Director
Regional AIDS Training Center and \Network in India (RATNEI)
International Health Organizartion
Patna, India
www.ihousa.org
M- 09835078298
e-mail: <diwakartejaswi@...>

Dear Forum members,

I write in response to Ashok Rau's and Shyamala Ashok's postings on
the  Evaluation of Community Care Centres, and the general apathy
at all levels to the care and support needs of people living with
HIV.

The evaluation conducted by ORG Marg was such a farce, irrespective
of whether an organization got an A, B or C grading.

In Karnataka the evaluators were from a savings and credit background who  did 
not even speak the local language. Neither had any experience in care and
support.

The only HIV related experience that they had had  was some awareness programme
they had conducted once in another state. After all it is not that we lack
professionals to do such an evaluation. We do have scores of professionals in
the public, private and social sector who know what HIV management is.

It is totally disrespectful of those who have provided a positive
environment and pioneered care and support in this country to
subject them to such an unprofessional process. It is equally
disrespectful of the needs of people living with HIV to have such a
cavalier attitude to services being provided.

Civil society organizations and positive networks are as concerned
about standards of care and quality of services .

Does the evaluation process not need certain standards?

I endorse all the points raised by Ashok Rau and would strongly urge NACO to
order an enquiry into the evaluation and make the evaluation process public,
with CVs of evaluators, the evaluation methodology and detailed reports of each
organization and the basis of grading

Community Care Centres across the country have been meeting critical
care needs of people living with HIV since the past 10 years.

Initially supported by NACO, they have for the past 6 years or so
been receiving SACS funding. While fund flow has always been erratic
putting great strain on NGOs/ FBOs running these centers, never has
the situation been so bad.

In Karnataka while the initial contract ended in June 2007, till
September 2007, no information was available regarding the
continuation or cessation of the project. Letters to KSAPS or NACO
received no response at all.

To date, there is no clarity on who is actually going to continue the care that
is being currently being provided by Care and Support organizations.

How long can non-profit organizations hold out? What will happen to people who
need this care ?

Does NACO or KSAPS not have a responsibility to inform people living
with HIV if the care centers they are accessing will no longer be
able to provide services for them? Don't alternative services have
to be in place?

On behalf of all those who need these services, I would request NACO
to immediately to look into this matter and take the necessary
measures to bridge this gap.

In solidarity

Sanghamitra Iyengar
Director
Samraksha
e-mail: <si@...>

Dear Forum Members,

I would like to bring to your notice that there has been a directive from
NACO/SACS dated 20th September 2007, stating that PFI, KHPT, HIV/AIDS Alliance
and other  International agencies  have to support  ‘A’ category care and
support centers that have been supported so far by the respective state aids
prevention societies.

The concerned agencies (PRs and SRs of GF round 6 India ) have been asked to use
Global Fund round 6 resources for the same. It has been stated clearly that this
would be in addition to the original mandate of setting up additional CCCs as
part of the original Global Fund round 6 proposal.

Ms. Gurnani, Executive Director University of Manitoba / KHPT & Trustee KHPT,
has in her letter dated 26th September 2007, stated that KHPTs mandate and
budget in round 6 for Karnataka  is to set up 10 additional CCCs in the various
districts of Karnataka, to compliment the existing care and support units funded
by KSAPS.

(There are no resources budgeted for financially supporting the existing CCCs in
the respective states) There is a intent of setting up approx 315 CCCs in the
country as part of NACP 3.

In the above mentioned meeting held at NACO on the 29th September 2007,  Though
the concerned agencies tried to voice their concerns, DG NACO (Ms. Rao) 
reconfirmed the intent and directive from NACO/SACS vide letter dated --
September 2007 and letter dated 20th September 2007 stating that this directive
was final.

The question for NACO and the India CCM is:

What is going to be status of the national care and support initiative after
years? (All fund commitments and disbursements (on approval) from GF are only
for the first 2 years, after years based of a stringent financial and
performance review process, the Global fund may extend support for the next
years)

How can money from the Global fund round 6 be used for the existing national
program (care and support) especially when these components have been budgeted
for in the National allocation for HIV/AIDS? (NACP 3)

The Global Fund is an additional resource (adequate national financial
commitment and allocation is a must) to address program and financial gaps in
the future vision of the National Program

How can NACO pass on the ownership and responsibility of the national and state
programs to private agencies and overseas universities?

These agencies, with all due respect are not implementing agencies, most PRs and
some SRs usually operate as fund managers and provide technical support.

Where are the additional resources needed for taking on the burden of supporting
existing CCCs in the respective states going to came from?

(Additional resources for the same have not been factored in the budget or
mandate of the original Global fund round 6 India proposal)

What is the status of the existing financial commitment and allocation from the
National (Govt. of India) budget, World Bank, DFID, BMG and other agencies for
NACP3?

Where is the existing and additional national financial allocation of resources
for HIV/AIDS going?

Reference:

Letter from Mr. Suresh Kumar (Director Finance – NACO) dated nil, Sept. 2007

Letter from the PD Karnataka Aids Prevention Society, Mr. Mohan, dated 20th
September 2007 addressed to Freedom Foundation

Letter from Ms. Gurnani Executive Director University of Manitoba / KHPT &
Trustee KHPT dated 26th September 2007 addressed to the Project Director Mr.
Mohan, PD Karnataka Aids Prevention Society, copied to Freedom Foundation

NACO meeting of the PRs and Sub – recipients of Global fund Round 6 held on 29th
September 2007

Thanking you in advance

Yours Sincerely

Dr.Ashok Rau
Executive Trustee/CEO
Freedom Foundation-India, Nigeria, and Botswana
(Centers of Excellence- Substance Abuse & HIV/AIDS)

Head Office: 180, Hennur Cross, Bangalore - 560043, India
Senior Research Fellow, TheTerry Sanford Institute of Public Health,Duke
University(USA)
Visiting Faculty, Yale University (USA)
Phone (O) +91 80 25440134, 25449766, 25430611
Fax (O) +91 80 25440134
email:freedom@...
<ashokrau@...>

Application for Empanelment of Training Institutions

Technical Support Unit is a technical and managerial unit to support
Gujarat State AIDS Control Society for HIV/AIDS prevention work in
Gujarat. We are also assigned for Diu and Daman, and Dadranagar
Haveli AIDS Control Society. This programme is funded by NACO, New
Delhi. The programme is an intervention with the goal of reducing the
burden of HIV/AIDS cases in the country. The components of the
project are prevention, care and support and treatment, programme
management and strategic information management with one its sub-
component being targeted interventions for high risk groups, Men
Having Sex with Man, Female Sex Workers, Transgender, Intravenous
Drug Users.

Capacity building of different stake holders is one of the prime
activity of this programme. To organize the trainings for different
stake holder we are inviting an expression of interest to make an
empanelment to assign the trainings on various subject.

Application are invited from eligible training institution/individual
trainers for empanelment  as trainers for conducting trainings for
the Grass Root level workers, Health department, and other stake
holders, in the below mentioned format.

Name of the organization:

Address:
Door No & Street:
City/Town/Village:
District:
State:
Pin code:
Web address: Contact individual:
Designation:
Email:
Phone (landline):
Mobile:
Fax:

1.Training in Financial, Administrative, HR and Project Management
aspects

1.1) Do you provide or can provide training for agencies serving the
HIV/AIDS community?
Tick the answer.
Yes
No


1.2) If yes, please Tick () all that apply.

TRAINING IN ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT  YES/NO TICK
Accounting
Budget development
Burnout avoidance
Community Mobilization
Computer skills ( Basics)
Crisis management
Databases (MS Access etc.)
English (spoken)
Fund-raising
Internet skills
Inter-personal communication
Leadership
Management Information Systems
Media skills (interviews, advertising etc.)
Microfinance & Income generation schemes
Monitoring and Evaluation (Participatory)
Personality development for employees
Planning
Presentation software (Power point etc.)
Process documentation
Proposal/ Grant writing
Public-speaking
Qualitative Data Collection/ Analysis
Recruitment
Report writing
Spreadsheets (Eg: Excel)
Statistics and Quantitative Data Analysis
Tally (accounting software)
Team-building
Time management
Training organizing/management
Volunteer management
Word processing (Eg: Word)
Writing Manuals/ Standard Operating Procedures
Legal Rights of  Sexual Minorities
Social Marketing of Health services (Condom, STI,etc)
Branding Techniques and Strategies (Services)
Designing and Pretesting communication material
Training on Research software (SPSS,ATLAS, EPI-Info etc)
Other training (list below)

2. Training in Technical Areas of HIV/AIDS

2.1) Do you provide or can provide training for the NGOs working in
HIV/AIDS? Tick  the answer.

Yes.  No

2.2) If so, what kind of trainings do you provide OR can provide?
Tick all that apply.

TRAINING IN TECHNICAL HIV/AIDS-RELATED AREAS YES/NO TICK
Advocacy
Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Development
Blood Safety
Care and Support
Clinical topics - Antiretroviral therapy
Clinical topics - HIV/TB Co-infection
Clinical topics - Nutrition and HIV
Clinical topics - Opportunistic infections
Clinical topics - Sexually transmitted infection
Community Sensitization and Mobilization
Condom promotion
Counseling (direct)
Counseling (telephone/email)
Gender and Sexuality
HIV/AIDS Basic Facts
Home-based care
Hospital Waste Management
Occupational Health and PEP
Orphans and Vulnerable (infected/affected) children
Pediatric AIDS
Peer Counseling
People living with HIV/AIDS
Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT)
Street Theatre and other alternative media/folk media
Support Group formation
Targetted Interventions - Adolescent youth
Targetted Interventions - Female Commercial Sex workers
Targetted Interventions – IDU
Targetted Interventions – Migrants
Targetted Interventions - MSM and Male Sex workers
Targetted Interventions – Transgenders
Targetted Interventions – Truckers
Women
Other training (list below)

3. Other Training Issues

3.1) How many trainings you can handle in a year ?


3.2) In which language you can provide trainings ? Tick () all that
apply

• Gujarati
• Hindi
• English
• Other (Specify)

Note : Gujarati Language is most preferable .

3.2) What would be the  payment structure for the training? Tick
all that apply

Free
Payment by trainee organization (if paid, give details of fee
structure)
Sponsorship by third party eg: funding agency (give details)

3.3) Please briefly describe the training methodologies you have
adopted or can adopt (eg. Workshops, lectures, seminars, Internet
classes, etc).

3.4) Where are your trainings conducted? Tick all that apply.

At our training center (give location) ______________________
At the premises of the agency requesting training
Others (specify)

3.5) If your trainings are conducted at the premises of the agency
requesting training, what criteria (e.g minimum duration, minimum
number of participants etc.) would the agency have to meet?

3.6) Do you offer refresher or followup training after completion of
your training program?  Tick the answer.

Yes No

Other technical assistance

4.1) Do you offer technical assistance in any of areas in the Table
given in 4.2 Tick  the answer.

Yes No

4.2) If yes, please  Tick () all that apply.

DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE YES/NO tick
Costing of activities and programs
Management information systems (MIS) development
Strategy and action plan development
Dissemination of study reports
Advocacy strategy development
IEC and BCC material development
Mapping of services and resources
Mapping of vulnerable/high-risk groups
Monitoring and Evaluation
Needs assessment
Networking of stakeholders
Organization brochures and pamphlets
Policy Development
Situational analyses
Survey instrument development / Operational research
Training module development
Translation of materials (give details)
Grant/proposal writing
Impact Assessment
Governance
Developing softwares
Other technical assistance (list below)

5. Direct Services
In addition to capacity-building, does your agency also provide
direct services in the areas of prevention, care, support and/or
treatment? If so, please describe briefly.

6. Funding

In addition to capacity-building, does your agency also
fund direct services,
research etc.? If so, please give a brief description of the services
and/or research that you fund.

7. Please provide list of technical persons you have ?

Name of the person Qualification Expertise Experience
(years) Agencies worked for

6. Other capacity building agencies (OPTIONAL)
If you can provide us names and contact information of other agencies
or consultants who provide capacity-building/technical assistance
services in HIV/AIDS, we would greatly appreciate your help.

1. _________________________________________


2. __________________________________________


3. ___________________________________________


4. ___________________________________________


5. _______________________________________


To the best of my knowledge, the information given above is current
and accurate, and can be circulated among HIV/AIDS service providers,
planning and policy agencies.


Date:
Signature
Please email the filled form on  Jobs.casp@... and mark a CC
to Cpo_casp@...

Dear all,

The Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases Services (IAIDS) is organizing a
conference on ‘Best medical practices in HIV/AIDS care’ on the 18th November
2007 , at the auditorium of the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Sarita Vihar, New
Delhi. This conference will include national and international speakers who
would deliberate on various aspects of diagnosis, care and treatment of
HIV/AIDS. All physicians, laboratory specialists  and other health professionals
from across the country, especially from the NCR and the northern states are
invited to participate in this event.

This conference will provide an ideal platform for learning newer aspects in
HIV/AIDS care encompassing basic knowledge about the virus, its diagnosis,
clinical management and antiretroviral treatment. Prevention strategies such as
STI management, PPTCT and PEP and Blood safety will be the other areas covered
during the conference.

More details are available on the conference website -
www.aidsconference-delhi.com

A nominal registration fee of Rs. 500 would be charged to include delegate kit,
lunch tea and snacks.

A special session is being organized on the 17th November 2007 to cover recent
advances in ART. Eminent international speakers with extensive experience in
HIV/AIDS care will deliberate  on international ART practices including
monitoring drug therapy and managing drug resistance issues.
Participation in this special session is complementary.

We look forward to seeing you at the conference.

Dr. Nalin Nag,
Convener
IAIDS, Secretariat
K-24E, Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi – 110016. India
www.aidsconference-delhi.com
E-Mail-info@...
Telephone - +91-98100 36808

S. N. Misra
e-mail: <misranaco@...>

Greetings!

On Behalf of Lakshya Trust, Gay community of Gujarat and Gay Friendly but
Straight people

I am feeling really glad to share the news with you all that the Gay prince Mr.
Manvendra Singh Gohil and the Gay Activist Mr. Sylvester Merchant were invited
for the much famous and well renowned Oprah Winfrey Show at Chicago. The Oprah
Winfrey Show with the title Gay Around the World, Aired the interview with Mr.
Manvendra Singh Gohil and Mr. Sylvester Merchant on 24th Oct. 2007 in USA.

This is one of the milestones covered by the Gay Community for gaining
recognition and good acceptance in the society

The leading newspaper of the county covered this priceless moment and has
printed it on the cover page, giving this new the topmost priority among other
piece of news on Friday, Oct 26 2007, under the heading 'Gay Prince floors TV
diva Oprah"´

The extracts are as follows: He is the Gay Prince. She is the Queen of talk
show. When Mr. Manvendra Singh Gohil, scion of the royal family of Rajpipla met
Oprah Winfrey in a studio, both were awestruck. Had I not been a gay, I would
have proposed to you,´ Gohil told Oprah. Nothing like living in a palace.´ Quick
came the reply from the diva of American TV.

Today, the gay community as reached up to this place, getting such a nice
platform for raising its voice and receiving this much of acceptance.

I am grateful to Mr. Ashok Row Kavi for his invaluable contribution and
unfailing support for the same cause.

Your Friend

Vishal Soni
Lakshya Trust
e-mail: <sonivishal83@...>

Dear Young Anonymous Friend,

Re: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS-INDIA/message/8007

No you have not offended anyone but in case you want to share your concern and
show us our mistakes. I would like to learn from you.

Please do not stay anonymous, but come out and work with us, show us our
mistakes. I do not know who you worked with but I work with at least 200 girls
at a point of time.

I have good and bad experiences which I would like to share with you.
At a young age please do not be so frustrated and stay away. When I am
working for such a long time and many have witnessed and experienced our work
from all over the worls and also from this country, I am sure it is not totally
wrong. Hence, please share your bad experiences with us.

Your senior friend,

Indrani Sinha
Sanlaap

38B Mahanirban Road
Calcutta 700029
Ph: +91 33 27021287
Fax: +91 33 28400286
E-mail: indrani.sanlaap@...
www.sanlaapindia.org

Dear FORUM,

Re: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS-INDIA/message/8008

Its really amazing that the family has absolutely no concern for the mother, who
is staying in a home being run for infected and affected children, because she
was thrown out of her rightful home.

A mother's rightful place is with her child  and a child too has the right to be
with its mother... The in laws of the woman donot seem to think of  brining the
mother back to the home and family that she belong (s)ed to when her husband was
a alive. Just because the son is no more is no reason to throw out a daughter in
law and more so when she  needs all the care and support.

The court would only be reinforcing the  forces of stigma and discrimination if
it goes against its decision to let the mother have the custody of her daughter.

Legal aspects apart, I think putting a young child through decisions like who
she wants to stay with is being unfair on the child also and in violation of the
rights of the child.


Vandana Nair
Jaipur
e-mail: <nair_vandana@...>

High rate of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in Indian AIDS
patients.

RESEARCH LETTERS


Singh, Sarman; Sankar, Manimuthu Mani; Gopinath, Krishnamoorthy
AIDS. 21(17):2345-2347, November 2007.

Abstract:

Fifty-four full-blown AIDS patients suspected of having HIV-
tuberculosis co-infection were investigated for the prevalence of
extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Out of
the 54 patients, M. tuberculosis was isolated from 24 (44.4%).

Twelve (50%) isolates of these had resistance to first-line drugs,
whereas four (33.33%) were also resistant to second-line drugs. All
four patients, in whom XDR M. tuberculosis was isolated, died within
2.6 months of diagnosis.

AIDS. 21(17):2345-2347, November 2007.

Dear friends,

Re: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS-INDIA/message/7942

For those of you who are still convinced that it is almost exclusively
sex that is driving India's HIV epidemic and continue to ignore
evidences that unsafe blood exposures significantly contribute to HIV
spread, the NFHS-III findings provide some food for thought. (Quotes are from
Chapter 12 of the report, which is available at:
http://nfhsindia.org/nfhs3_national_report.html.)

In the popular perception, HIV is linked to poverty as people who are
poor 'do not know about' or 'cannot negotiate' for safe sex. With data
to support its claims, the survey findings state that "There is no
evidence that HIV prevalence is related to poverty in India. In fact,
women and men in households in the next-to-highest wealth quintile are
most likely to be infected with HIV"

"Men who are away from home frequently or for long periods of time are
generally thought to be more exposed to the risk of HIV infection
because they may be more likely to adopt high-risk sexual behaviour when they
are away from home.

In NFHS-3, men were asked how many times they traveled away from their home
community and whether they had been away from their home community for more than
one month at a time in the past 12 months... Contrary to expectations, the men
with the highest HIV prevalence are those that have not slept away from their
home community at all in the past year. There is also no clear relationship
between the
time spent away in the past 12 months and HIV prevalence, since men who have
been away for more than one month at a time have the same HIV
prevalence rate as men who have not been away at all."

"Women with an STI or symptoms of an STI have a slightly higher HIV
prevalence rate (0.29) than other women (0.26 percent). However,
contrary to expectation, men with a recent STI or STI symptoms have a
lower HIV prevalence than other men." In fact, the reported prevalence
of STI is much higher in the states which have the lowest HIV
prevalance. (see Chap 11) States with the highest levels of HIV
prevalence have very low reported prevalence of STI.

"For over 27,000 married couples, both the husband and the wife agreed
to be tested for HIV in NFHS-3. Results... indicate that both partners
were HIV positive for 0.11 percent of couples. The remaining 0.39
percent of couples had discordant HIV results, that is, one partner was infected
and the other was not infected. For 82 percent of these
discordant couples, the husband was HIV positive and the wife was HIV
negative."

These findings underpin the fact that sex cannot explain much of India's
epidemic. This is despite the assumptions of the NFHS III (Chapter 11) which in
its wisdom defines "Comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS as:

1) knowing that both condom use and limiting sex partners to one uninfected
faithful partner are HIV/AIDS prevention methods;
2) being aware that a healthy-looking person can have HIV/AIDS; and
3) rejecting the two most common misconceptions in India that HIV/AIDS can be
transmitted through mosquito bites and by sharing food."

NO mention of other routes of HIV transmission through unsafe blood
(Mother-to-child transmission is included in a seperate section)

Other data on condom use, number of partners etc can be interpreted in
various ways, depending on the biases of the reader rather than on solid
statistics.

Responses to the findings of this survey would be much appreciated.

Mariette Correa
David Gisselquist

e-mail: <mariettec@...>

Dear FORUM,

Re: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS-INDIA/message/7959

Thanks for Nilim' questions. The following should be helpful:

- With regard to understanding of our organisation may we please
request you to kindly visit our website at www.sanlaapindia.org This
would be a good starting point for you to know what we are doing. I am sure
you'd also be able to learn about the emerging good practices that we are 
engaged in as an organisation. In case you have further queries, you are welcome
to get back to us.

With regard to your understanding of our statement ofn DEMAND... We
are referring to male demand of women and girl children as commodities in the
flesh market. What ever terminology used this is complete violation of human
rights. Think of yourself at the receiving end... Think of a world where anyone
would have the luxury of buying or selling your body because of your lack of
opportunities and options.

We are referring to that demand of male clientele (read exploitation) that has
become a social norm. This must change. And you must be with us in facilitating
this change. Change within change within your immediate set-up of family and
friends and then of course change in the communities that you have impact over.

I am sure you are man enough to facilitate this change address this demand.

Please understand that Prostitution is not about women and their need to have
sex. It is men who have the need to have sex with women and children and an
entire market system that exists to support this human rights violation.

Women and Children are not up for sale... They cannot be... They   are human
beings and this is Modern Day Slavery that must STOP.

With regard to all the efforts that has been done within the   paradigm of
Trafficking for Child Labour and Bonded Labour please visit the website of our
partner organisation Bachpan Bachao Andolan (url www.bba.org) and you'll have a
lot of information.

With regard to SANLAAP's effort in working with DMSC's SRB... We are
working in tandem. If we look at Trafficking and Commercial Sexual
Exploitation as an issue we are working together against the exploitation of
women and children. We may not have a formal MoU with DMSC but we work in tandem
and have been doing so for ever.

Thanks for your interest. Shubho Bijoya.

__________________________
Ms. Indrani Sinha
Executive Director
SANLAAP*

38B Mahanirban Road
Calcutta 700029
Ph: +91 33 27021287
Fax: +91 33 28400286
E-mail: indrani.sanlaap@...
www.sanlaapindia.org

Dear Friends in the AIDS community,

We as an organization work with the victims of trafficking and the rescued girls
who are also HIV positive get institutional care in our shelter homes in West
Bengal.

I have often been told that institutional care is not the answer and one should
work for community care for positive peaople. Hence, I would like to know which
are some of these good practices of community care as I would love to learn from
them.

May I seek your advice on the same and get  some addresses of organizations so
that I can write to them?

Thanks,

Indrani

--
Ms. Indrani Sinha
Executive Director
SANLAAP

38B Mahanirban Road
Calcutta 700029
Ph: +91 33 27021287
Fax: +91 33 28400286
E-mail: indrani.sanlaap@...
Please visit us at: www.sanlaapindia.org

Girl to decide if she wants HIV+ mum
26 Oct 2007

JAIPUR: The nine-year-old daughter of an HIV-positive woman who was
denied custody of the child, will now decide if she wants to stay
with her mother or her grandparents.

The additional district court here has ruled that the girl should be
allowed to choose, despite a subordinate court earlier ruling that
the she live with her grandparents as her mother was HIV-postive and
therefore, would not be able to care for her.

The class V student has been living with her grandparents at Sahar
village in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. The girl's father, who
was in the army, died of AIDS in 2003. The girl's mother, in her
petition, had alleged that her in-laws had thrown her out of the
house in 2006 and forcibly taken custody of her daughter.

She sought her custody saying, as her biological mother, she was her
natural guardian and also pointed out that her daughter is a minor.

Her father-in-law, however, contended that since the child's mother
was living in an ashram with other HIV positive people, the safety of
the child and her health would always be in danger if she lived with
her mother.

The father-in-law contended that they be allowed to retain custody of
the child in view of her future and health.
Additional district judge Prithviraj said since the girl was nine
years old and a student of class V, she was capable of deciding
whether she should live with her grandparents or with her mother.

Counsel for the mother, AK Jain, moved a petition against the order
of the lower court in the additional district judge's court. The
mother had filed a petition against her father-in-law under section
12 of the Domestic Violence Act, alleging that he had forcibly taken
custody of her only child.

She contended that the deprivation of the child was punishable under
the Domestic Violence Act and she should be handed over the custody
of the girl child.

Counsel for the mother, AK Jain, however, said they would appeal
against the additional district judge's order in high court as the
girl was a minor and wasn't capable of taking a decision. And being a
mother, his client should be allowed to keep the child with her.

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