**********************************************************
SAATHII Electronic News Letter
HIV NEWS FROM INDIA

SOURCE: www.ibnlive.com, www.e-pao.net, www.newkerala.com, The Times of India
www.livemint.com, The Hindu, The Hindustan Times, www.kanglaonline.com,

Posted on: 01/07/2007

COMPILED BY: Randhir Kumar, B. Vilasini, and L. Ramakrishnan
SAATHII Chennai office.

Note: this compilation contains news items about HIV/AIDS
published in the Indian media, as well as articles relevant to
HIV/AIDS in India published internationally. Articles in this
and previous newsletters may also be accessed at
http://www.saathii.org/orc/elibrary

===============================================================

1.Is it right to boycott HIV+ children from schools?(New Delhi)
www.ibnlive.com, June 26, 2007.
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/06_2007/is-it-right-to-boycott-hiv-kids-in-sch\
ools-43588.html

2.HC orders for more CD-4 machines.(Imphal)
www.e-pao.net,June 26, 2007.
http://www.e-pao.net/GE.asp?heading=5&src=270607

3.Toll free national drug helpline launched.(New Delhi))
www.newkerala.com, June 27, 2007.
http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=42263

4.Role of recovered users in fighting drug menace recognised.(Imphal)
www.e-pao.net,June 27, 2007.
http://www.e-pao.net/GE.asp?heading=7&src=270607

5.200 mn people in world use drugs: UN.(New Delhi)
The Times of India, June 27, 2007.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/200_mn_people_in_world_use_drugs_UN/art\
icleshow/2149123.cms

6.Where street plays promote safe sex.(New Delhi)
www.livemint.com, June 29, 2007.
http://www.livemint.com/2007/06/29020235/Where-street-plays-promote-saf.html

7.NACP-III to be launched on July 6.(New Delhi)
The Hindu, June 30, 2007.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/30/stories/2007063056091500.htm

8.HIV-affected kids ostracised.(Mahrashtra)
The Hindustan Times, June 30, 2007.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Redir.aspx?ID=71754e63-eb5c-443b-bc11-7efeda716d00\
&ParentID=008f9e89-f07e-4694-8a64-f75c396c386a

9.Bill to prevent discrimination against AIDS patients finalised.(New Delhi)
www.newkerala.com, June 30, 2007.
http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=43036

10.Phase-3 of AIDS Control Programme an investment plan: NACO DG.(New Delhi)
www.livemint.com, June 30, 2007.
http://www.livemint.com/2007/06/30002302/Phase3-of-AIDS-Control-Progra.html

11.Father forced to deliver baby due to AIDS stigma.(Meerut)
The Times of India, June 30, 2007.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Father_forced_to_deliver_baby_due_to_ai\
ds_stigma/articleshow/2161454.cms

12.State legislators form forum, pledge to join fight against HIV/AIDS.(Imphal)
www.kanglaonline.com, July 1, 2007.
http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=38426&typeid=1

===============================================================

1. Is it right to boycott HIV+ children from schools?(New Delhi)
www.ibnlive.com, June 26, 2007.
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/06_2007/is-it-right-to-boycott-hiv-kids-in-sch\
ools-43588.html


New Delhi: India 360: Classmates with an HIV+

It was hailed as a victory just a couple of months ago when five HIV
positive children were re-admitted to at the MDLP school at Pampady in
Kottayam district of Kerala. But the issue is back in focus again.

The children, aged between five and 11, have been forced to leave their
school because other parents said they would not let their children study
with them.

With the government threatening to derecognise the school, it's a catch-22
situation for the school authorities. The school management simply does not
know what to do and has so far failed to convince the parents.

So will you allow your child to study with HIV positive classmates?

CNN-IBN debated that big question on the show India 360 conducted by
Sagarika Ghose. On the panel to discuss the issue were Jacob Curien,
member of the Asha Kiran, CEO Naaz Foundation Anjali Gopalan and Principal,
St Mary's School, Annie Koshi.


Now win situation

Annie Koshi was asked if she were principal of that particular school,
and majority parents said they will not allow their children to study
with five HIV positive children, who studied in the same school, what
decision would she take?

"Yes I would admit those students. But the question that you need to
put to me is – is the state equipping schools to admit HIV students.
Do hospitals admit patients with HIV? And if hospitals do not admit
patients with HIV, what is the message that goes out to society,"
said Koshy.

But the larger question is - should the school come down heavily and
say we will protect these children and go against the wishes of the
parents or should the school force the children out and honour the
majority of the parents' wishes?

"It's not the easy way out, and it's not just a moral question.
I would admit them. It is the school's duty to condition them, to
make them understand about AIDS. But at the same time it would be
a tragedy if I have a problem, and I am not able to look after the
children. It's the school's responsibility to look after every
child in the school," said Koshy.

But what kind of support should one expect from the government so
that schools can cater to HIV positive students?

"Schools should be adequately equipped as far as their infirmaries,
doctors and nurses are concerned. Actually looking after health issues
of other children also while looking after these five children,"
Koshy said.

She added, "They should also ensure that the closest hospital will
not say no when I come with the child. They should admit and should
be equipped to handle these. They should do proper propaganda and
dissemination of information to the public about what are the
implications about having children with AIDS, and that there are
no dangers to other children."


Second home

The Asha Kiran Orphanage is the one looking after the five children.
It is here that the children had to make do with private lessons at
their charity home after the school had turned them away the first
time.

Jacob Curien said that there was no stiff opposition from the school.
but it was the parents who had taken it upon themselves to see that
the five children leave the school.

"The school authorities have no problem. But the problem is with the
parents. They say if we allow the AIDS affected children to sit next
to their children, their children will also develop this disease,"
said Jacob Curien.

===============================================================

2. HC orders for more CD-4 machines.(Imphal)
www.e-pao.net,June 26, 2007.
http://www.e-pao.net/GE.asp?heading=5&src=270607


Imphal:HC orders for more CD-4 machines.

Acting on a PIL, a Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court has
asked the Government to provide adequate number of CD4 testing
machines in all districts of the State.

An order to this effect was passed by Justices Maibam BK Singh and
BD Agarwal in their Imphal Bench sitting on June 14 following a PIL
filed by Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) represented by
its president Deepak Leimapokpam and Khumanthem Boby, both living
with HIV/AIDS.

The respondents shall also take all necessary steps to ensure that
the CD4 machines operate efficiently, mentioned the ruling.

The respondents listed in the PIL include the Union Government represented
by Secretary, Ministry of Health, National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO),
the State Government represented by Commissioner Health, Manipur State AIDS
Control Society (MACS) and Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

The respondents were also asked to take explicit steps to ensure that
constitutional obligations of the State is fulfilled on priority basis by
allocating sufficient fund to secure health to persons living with HIV/AIDS
in the State.

Advocate Paikhomba who appeared on behalf of the petitioners said that CD4
testing facilities are available only at JN Hospital, RIMS and district
hospitals of Churachandpur and Ukhrul.

===============================================================

3. Toll free national drug helpline launched.(New Delhi)
www.newkerala.com, June 27, 2007.
http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=42263


New Delhi: Toll free national drug helpline launched

A 'Toll Free National Drug Helpline' was today
launched here on occasion of 'International Day Against Drug Abuse
and Illicit Trafficking'.

Inaugurating the facility, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment
Meira Kumar said it would come handy to all, particularly to the youth
to combat the menace of drugs.

She said her Ministry was undertaking a national survey through National
Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) to gather authentic data on the nature
and extent of the problem of drugs in the country.

Initially, NSSO will be conducting pilot study in selected districts all
over the country, which will be followed by National Household Survey.

This survey would provide the much needed information for a holistic
planning for drug abuse prevention, said Ms Kumar.

She said the Ministry had also set up a National Centre for Drug Abuse
Prevention in the National Institute of Social Defence for capacity building
of service providing NGOs.

National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) has built partnerships with
Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, the largest youth network in the country and
field communicators of the Directorate of Field Publicity.

Called for addressing the issue of drugs frontally and comprehensively,
she said the Ministry was supporting over 350 de-addiction centres and
over 40 counselling centres all over the country, and capacity of 200 centres
have been augmented with support from NACO to effectively deal with
drug-driven HIV and AIDS.

However, she added, a complex societal problem that drug abuse has
become today, requires a larger partnership.

The Minister further said a serious concern was the linkage of drug
abuse with HIV and AIDS.

"Injecting drugs is a very efficient mode of HIV transmission.
Though it does not contribute more than 2.4 per cent to the pandemic
pool, South Asia has the largest injection drug users (IDU) population
in absolute numbers.Instances of injecting drug use are reported to
be on rise in India too," she pointed out.

She told the gathering that this year, the theme chosen to mark
the occasion is 'Do drugs control your life? Your life. Your
community. No place for drugs'.

The Ministry has also taken up a national level awareness programme
under the slogan 'I decide, won't take drugs'.

The campaign basically targets young people, explaining the consequences
of drug abuse and how the individual is responsible ultimately for his
drug behaviour. It also deals with stigma and discrimination issues and
why it is important to openly talk about drugs, she said.

===============================================================

4. Role of recovered users in fighting drug menace recognised.(Imphal)
www.e-pao.net,June 27, 2007.
http://www.e-pao.net/GE.asp?heading=7&src=270607


Imphal: Role of recovered users in fighting drug menace recognised

Waking up to the urgent need of the hour and for the first time the State
Government has given recognition to the contribution being made by the
recovered drug users in the ongoing fight to prevent abuse of drugs and
other harmful pharmatuetical substances among the people of Manipur
especially the youth.

In all, 67 recovered drug addicts including four women were honoured with
gifts and mementoas at the occasion of the State level International Day
Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observance function held at
Kangla Hall here today.

The function was jointly organised by the Department of Social Welfare,
Government of Manipur and Federation of Indian NGOs Working on Drug Abuse
Prevention (FINGO-DAP), Manipur Chapter.

MLA M Oken and MLA Kh Loken were chief guest and president of the function
which was also attended by Director of Social Welfare Nabakumar, Deputy
Director Satyabati and NACO Consultant Salam Gautam as guests of honour.

Speaking at the occasion, the dignitaries appreciated the contributions
being made by the recovered drug users in various capacities in containing
the problem of drug abuse in Manipuri society today.

The two MLAs who were present at the occasion also expressed their commitment
of the legislators in Manipur in fighting against the menace of drug abuse and
HIV/AIDS in Manipuri society today.

In this regard, a one-day conference on HIV/AIDS awareness to be held on
June 30 in the Assembly Secretariat, they informed.

Interesting, among those who were felicitated at the occasion, there were many
who have been able to stayed clean from drugs for as long as to 5 to 21 years
and now dedicating them to the cause of fight against the drug menace in
various capacities as consultant, project manager, State co-ordinator, etc
of NGOs working in the field.

Various organisations also observed the day by organising various programmes.

Nirvana Foundation observed the event by organising a fashion parade to spread
the message of primary drug abuse prevention among the young people at
GM Hall here today.

A documentary film entitled 'Punshi' highlighting the problems being faced by
the widows of IDUs was also released at the occasion.

The event was supported by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime and
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India under Project
G-86.

Deputy Director of Intervention, MACS Dr Manikanta Singh, News editor of
ISTV K Madhumangol Singh and Project Associate of UNODC, Shillong
Sushmita Banerjee
graced the observance function as chief guest, president and guest of
honour respectively.

At the conference hall of Hotel Excellency, Hands for Peaceful Society (HAPES),
User Positive Alliance (UPA), ESDO, WESDEVS and People of Positive
(PoP+) observed
the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking along with a
serious deliberation on the issue.

State Programme Associate of MNP+ Ajitshwor, HIV in-charge of JN
Hospital Radharani,
Project Manager of HAPES and president of PoP + M Pushpakanta, etc
were among the
main resource persons who attended the programme held with secretary of Band of
Hope (Wangkhei) Th Sarat Singh, president of Kripa Society (Lalambung)
H Dineshwor
and chairperson of Lainingthou Foundation Th (O) Sakhi Devi as chief
guest, president
and guest of honour respectively.

You and I Network organised a debating competition on the motion 'Drugs abuse
is the biggest issue in the State of Manipur' for students of class
IX to XII standard at the hall of Leimarol Art Centre (LAC) at Singjamei
Chingamakha to mark the occasion.

Members of Empowerment of Community for Human Education and Multitude
Advancement
(ECHEMA) launched a poster campaign in and around Lamphel Super Market
complex in
connection with its observance of the day.

Manipur Intravenous League (MIVL) observed the day as the Ist annual
remembrance
ceremony for all those lost their lives to drugs.

All Manipur Nupi Samaj, Meetei Leimarol Sinai Sang, Lifeline
Foundation, Jan Shikhshan
Sansthan, Chingamathak Youth Learners' Club, etc were along the
organisations which
have observed the day in their own way.

===============================================================

5. 200 mn people in world use drugs: UN.(New Delhi)
The Times of India, June 27, 2007.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/200_mn_people_in_world_use_drugs_UN/art\
icleshow/2149123.cms


New Delhi: About 200 million people around the world consume drugs each year,
with cocaine, opium and its derivatives - including heroin - topping the list
of favourites, a United Nations report said on Tuesday.

"Though a large share of the world's population - about five per cent of the
people between the ages of 15 and 64 - uses illicit drugs each year,
only a small
fraction of these can be considered 'problem drug users'," the report
issued by the
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said.

According to the report, opium continued to be the prime drug in most of Europe
and Asia. In South America victims queue up mostly for cocaine-abuse treatment
and in Africa abuse is primarily confined to cannabis.

More than half of the world's opiate (opium derivatives)-using population
lives in Asia, with the highest levels of abuse occurring along the main
drug-trafficking routes out of Afghanistan.

The total number of opiate users in Central Asia is close to 300,000.
Around one
million people around the world use heroin.

The report said that the global consumer market of narcotics has remained
stable in 2006 despite a significant increase in drug abuse in the
countries along
major trafficking routes.

However, the report noted that several Asian countries - Pakistan,
Iran and India
included and some parts of Africa, Russia and Europe had recorded an
increase in
heroin consumption over the last decade.

"Many of these areas have high levels of poverty and HIV, leaving
people vulnerable
to the worst effects of this drug," said the report.

The UN organisation added that cocaine use in Asia has increased
slightly, mainly
due to higher levels of use in India. Still, in most parts of Asia cocaine use
remained at very low levels.

Cocaine use increased in 2006 in Africa, especially western Africa.
High and rising
levels of cocaine use has also been reported from Britain and Italy.

However, the UNODC stressed that the global drug problem was being contained.
The production and consumption of cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines and
Ecstasy have
stabilised at the global level - with one exception.

"The exception is the continuing expansion of opium production in
Afghanistan. This
expansion continues to pose a threat - to the security of the country
and to the
global containment of opiate abuse."

The report also said that the global opiate interception rate rose
from just nine
percent in 1990 to 15 percent in 1995, 21 per cent in 2000 and 26 per
cent in 2005,
reflecting increased efforts made by various countries to curb
trafficking in opiates.

In Pakistan, where poppy is grown in the Afghan-Pakistan border
region, the government
reported a 59 per cent reduction in the area under cultivation in
2006, bringing it to
1,545 hectares.

The report said that injecting drug use has contributed to increasing
HIV infections
in India, Indonesia, Iran, Libya, Pakistan, Spain, Ukraine, Uruguay and Vietnam.

"In China, Central Asia and several countries of eastern Europe,
injecting drug use
has been the most frequently cited mode of transmission of HIV in
recent years,"
the report said.

===============================================================

6. Where street plays promote safe sex.(New Delhi)
www.livemint.com, June 29, 2007.
http://www.livemint.com/2007/06/29020235/Where-street-plays-promote-saf.html


New Delhi: Where street plays promote safe sex

In the Vyasarpadi section of this city, the prostitutes stay behind
closed doors.
But on a recent evening, the men milling about, possibly heading inside to pay
for sex, were the target audience.

Against a backdrop of rain, with a crowd gathered around, a street theatre
troupe performed and drew on Tamil song and dance—but with a message far from
tradition. They shouted brand names of condoms: "Masti! Nirodh! KamaSutra!
Moods! Kohinoor!" They urged the crowd to use them to protect themselves from
HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Such interventions, coupled with making condoms available in the paan shops
and tea stalls around areas where sex can be bought, have helped make
Tamil Nadu—the place where India's first case was discovered in 1986—unique
because the rate of new infections of HIV have levelled off, according to
experts.

High literacy rates, a strong health care infrastructure and a political will
to combat the problem—absent in many parts of India—all drive the success here.

"No other state is doing as well," says Ashok Alexander, executive director of
the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Avahan India AIDS initiative, which has
deployed $258 million (Rs1,058 crore) since 2004. "Most other states have
prevalence levels that continue to rise among high-risk groups and even the
general population."


Tamil Nadu first

Amid differing statistics and views of India's progress in fighting AIDS and
HIV, Tamil Nadu's success stands out. Current government estimates show
5.1 million HIV and AIDS patients in India, while UN figures place the number
at 5.7 million, or less than 1% of the country's 1.1 billion people.

However, the official estimate is expected to fall drastically, possibly
by half, when the government releases new numbers based on data collected
using different scientific methods, say recent media reports. Officials have
declined to comment on the data until they finish the analysis, but say that
they are likely to make an announcement by July.

The prevalence of the virus in Tamil Nadu when measured among pregnant
women at clinics around the state—on which the government bases its numbers
intended to represent the general population— has consistently dropped over
the past few years—from 1.1% in 2001 to 0.5% in 2004.

The percentage of infected men who seek treatment at clinics for
other sexually transmitted infections has also fallen by half—from 16.8%
in 2000 to 8.4% in 2004.

"Here (in Tamil Nadu), you have a really strong civil society sector coupled
with an active, engaged and committed bureaucracy," says Padma Chandrasekaran,
a Chennai-based senior programme officer for Avahan. These general health
indicators place Tamil Nadu ahead of other states, except Kerala,
she added.

===============================================================

7. NACP-III to be launched on July 6.(New Delhi)
The Hindu, June 30, 2007.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/30/stories/2007063056091500.htm


New Delhi: NACP-III to be launched on July 6.

The third phase of the ambitious National AIDS Control Programme
(NACP) will be launched on July 6 when the Government will also release the
latest HIV/AIDS figures.

According to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) Director-General,
Sujatha Rao, the Rs.11,585-crore programme will focus on prevention and
treatment. Of this amount, Rs. 8,023 crore will be provided by the Government
while the remaining amount will be funded by external agencies.
Epidemic expanding

Speaking at a workshop on AIDS here, Ms. Rao said the HIV epidemic in India
continued to be largely concentrated in the high-risk groups. However, there
was evidence that more women were being infected and that the epidemic was
spreading to rural areas.

The NACP- III builds on lessons from earlier programmes and addresses these
new trends, she added.

The NACP-III aims at preventing new infections in high-risk groups and
vulnerable
population. This will be done by increasing the coverage of high-risk
groups from
current levels to more than 80 per cent with targeted activities.

Prevention services for truckers and mobile population will also be scaled
up and information and services provided to vulnerable sections, including
women and children, with an expansion of coverage to rural and tribal areas.

Treatment for opportunistic infections will also be increased.The NACP-III
framework has been designed in consultation with a large number of donors
and civil society organisations.

The monitoring and evaluation system has been strengthened at the
national and State levels to provide information for programme management
and evidence-based decision-making.

The U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) has announced £102
million over the next five years in support of the NACP-III. Of this,
£ 95 million
will be for financial aid and the rest in technical cooperation funds.

The DFID will pool funds with the World Bank to primarily support prevention
activities. Other donors include the Global Funds for AIDS, TB and Malaria,
USAID and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

===============================================================

8. HIV-affected kids ostracised.(Mahrashtra)
The Hindustan Times, June 30, 2007.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Redir.aspx?ID=71754e63-eb5c-443b-bc11-7efeda716d00\
&ParentID=008f9e89-f07e-4694-8a64-f75c396c386a


Mahrashtra: HIV-affected kids ostracised in India, says report.

Anu P and Sharmila A lost their parents to AIDS. With that, they lost their
chance of getting an education. While Anu's grandfather was told not to send
her to school, Sharmila stopped going after she was ostracised by classmates
and teachers.

These children find a voice in the Human Rights Watch report Future Forsaken:
Abuses Against Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in India, which will be formally
released at the Naz Foundation in Delhi on August 2.

"Children are nowhere in the radar screen of the Indian government's policy
on AIDS and are routinely turned away from schools, clinics and orphanages
because they or their parents are HIV+," says author Zama Coursen-Neff.

Coursen-Neff, who travelled across India in November and December last year,
says most of the HIV+ people she met faced discrimination at hospitals and
clinics.

"Most people living with HIV in India say they have never been physically
examined by a doctor while others are terrified of getting tested for fear
of discrimination," she says.

According to the report, children who have lost parents to HIV/AIDS risk
abuse because they are often denied education, are in danger of becoming
homeless, forced into child labour or exploited. Girls are more likely to
be pulled out of school to care for a sick family member.


Unfortunate


The Human Rights Watch report paints a grim picture of children living
with HIV/AIDS in India. It says:


** Children nowhere on radar of Government's policy on AIDS

** Turned away from schools, clinics and orphanages

** Children, particularly girls, who've lost parents to HIV/AIDS risk abuse

===============================================================

9. Bill to prevent discrimination against AIDS patients finalised.(New Delhi)
www.newkerala.com, June 30, 2007.
http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=43036


New Delhi: Bill to prevent discrimination against AIDS patients finalised

The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) has sent a team to investigate
the alleged denial of medical treatment to an HIV postive woman in Meerut and
threatened to take serious action if the charges were found to be correct.

NACO Director General Sujatha Rao told reporters here that a two-member team
was sent to Meerut to investigate the reported incident in which the doctors
and staff of a hospital allegedly refused to attend to the delivery of
the women
and instead asked her husband to deliver the child.

Ms Rao said the initial inquiries have shown that one of the intern helped in
the delivery. However, if the charges of denial of medical treatment were found
to be correct after investigation, serious action would be taken against the
guilty people.

Meanwhile, to check the widespread stigma and discrimination faced by the
HIV/AIDS patients, the Government had finalised draft of a legislation which
would be brought before the Union Cabinet soon, she informed.

The third and final draft of the legislation have been prepared and sent
to the Law Ministry for vetting.

She said the draft is likely to be cleared in a week's time following which
it be would be presented before the Union Cabinet for its approval.

A cabinet note in this regard had already been prepared.

The bill would be presented before Parliament in the Monsoon session or winter
session, she said.

Regarding the delay in finalising the bill whose preparation started in 2004,
she said that it took time as a number of contentious issues were involved.

Their resolution involved lengthy discussion with various stakeholders,
she informed.

===============================================================

10. Phase-3 of AIDS Control Programme an investment plan: NACO DG.(New Delhi)
www.livemint.com, June 30, 2007.
http://www.livemint.com/2007/06/30002302/Phase3-of-AIDS-Control-Progra.html


New Delhi: Phase-3 of AIDS Control Programme an investment plan: NACO DG

The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) has termed the third phase
of the National AIDS Control Programme an "investment plan" toward
reversing the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the country, director-general
Sujatha Rao said.

Speaking at a conference in Delhi on Friday, 29 June, she said NACO will
spend 70% of the Rs11,585 crore programme on prevention of HIV/AIDS.

She said projections show that if AIDS prevention programmes remain at
current levels, the number of HIV/AIDS patients in India will rise to at
least 6.5 million by 2012 from the present official estimate of 5.2 million.

Meanwhile, UK's Department for International Development (DFID)—the
largest provider of bilateral aid to India—said it will double its
funding for the third phase of AIDS prevention and treatment to £102
million (Rs816 crore).

The funds will be pooled with $250 million from the World Bank which is
expected to sign off its portion shortly, said Susanna Moorehead, the
head of DFID's operations in India.

===============================================================

11. Father forced to deliver baby due to AIDS stigma.(Meerut)
The Times of India, June 30, 2007.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Father_forced_to_deliver_baby_due_to_ai\
ds_stigma/articleshow/2161454.cms


Meerut: Rahees Abbas, a slum dweller in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut city,
was forced to help his wife deliver a baby after doctors at the
Meerut Medical College refused to attend to his HIV infected pregnant
wife.

Sunita, 28, was rushed to the hospital late Wednesday night, but
her husband alleged that doctors and other staff did not allow her
to be taken to the labour ward.

"The hospital administration and doctors asked me to take her to
Delhi or anywhere else. They said we would spread the deadly disease
to others in the hospital," Abbas said.

"They threatened to hand us over to the police," he added.

When the situation became critical, Abbas was forced to help his wife
deliver as doctors stood aside giving him instructions.

"The doctors came to the labour room and asked me to pull out the baby
and then cut the umbilical cord. I followed their instructions and
after that they asked me to clean up all the blood and burn the
waste," Abbas recounted.

Sunita, who delivered a baby boy, said: "I was in pain but no doctor
came forward. My baby could have died due to negligence of the hospital.

They didn't even give any facility like blankets or food."

Abbas complained that after the birth of his baby, no doctor even
asked about the "health of either the child or the mother".

Taking note of the incident, Uttar Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (UPSAC)
said the district administration has started an inquiry into the allegations.

"The case is very unfortunate and if found guilty we will recommend the
state government to take strong action against the doctors," UPSAC
chief S P Goyal said.

There are 21,399 people infected with HIV in Uttar Pradesh and 3,053
full-blown AIDS patients.

===============================================================

12. State legislators form forum, pledge to join fight against HIV/AIDS.(Imphal)
www.kanglaonline.com, July 1, 2007.
http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=38426&typeid=1



Imphal: State legislators form forum, pledge to join fight against HIV/AIDS

After more than 17 years since the first case of HIV/AIDS was detected and
with more than 25,000 people living with the virus today, Manipur became
the 11th state in India to have a Legislators Forum on HIV/AIDS.

The Legislators Forum was constituted under the guidance of the Parliamentary
Forum on HIV/AIDS formed in 2000 with support from UNAIDS and NACO.

In the first ever one day conference of legislators on HIV/AIDS, the
constitution
of the Legislators Forum was adopted. Moreover, the historic Imphal Declaration
of Manipur Legislators was discussed and passed today by the members of the
legislative assembly with the aim of strengthening the response to HIV/AIDS
in the state.

The 15 points Imphal Declaration is a pledge of political commitment towards
ensuring an HIV/AIDS free state.

In the Declaration, among other things, the legislators agreed to meet every
six months to review the progress of initiating and executing an appropriate
action where necessary.

Addressing the conference, the Governor of Manipur Dr SS Sidhu said, "Political
will and courageous leadership has the potential to change the face of the
epidemic and the environment of stigma and discrimination."

Speaking on the need for establishing the forum, the Governor said that such
forums have been established to provide a strong leadership and focus on
HIV/AIDS prevention and care at different levels of governance.

He said that the aims of these forums are to raise awareness among policy
makers and encourage effective and balanced policies aimed at prevention,
management of treatment in affected cases and the provision of care and
support.

In his speech, the chief minister of Manipur, O Ibobi said that in order to
curb the further spread of HIV/AIDS in Manipur, the efforts made by the NGOs
are not enough. He said that without the involvement of the government
and policy makers, the fight against HIV/AIDS would not be effective.

Union minister of state, labour and employment, and convener of the
Parliamentary
Forum on AIDS, Oscar Fernandes, who visited Imphal primarily for the
conference,
cited the example of Thailand where the political commitment to meet the
challenges of HIV/AIDS have shown positive results.

He said, "Without the involvement of political leaders, there can be no
end to this issue."

He also highlighted the need of taking the political involvement to the
grassroots level.

Emphasising that concerted efforts were required to protect the youth, he
appealed to the chief minister and the legislators to alllocate grater
resources
in fighting the epidemic, and promised full technical and financial support
from the Parliamentary Forum on HIV/AIDS.

The country coordinator of UNAIDS-India, Denis Brown, said, "Millions of people
died due to insufficient political leadership. Fair leadership can make a
difference and nothing will happen without your leadership."

Brown recounted the phenomenal success made possible in bringing down the
incidence of HIV/AIDS in Uganda due to the strong and committed political
will to meet the challenges of HIV/AIDS.

Urging legislators to play a more effective role, he called for an effective
goal setting in reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Manipur.

"Your call should be that in the next five years, Manipur is not
included amongst the
six high prevalence states of India. nothing in the state will happen without
your leadership," he said.

Today`s conference was attended by most members of the legislative assembly.
It was organized by the Manipur Legislative Assembly under the sponsorship of
Manipur State AIDS Control Society and Constella Future Group.

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in the above articles
are those of the respective newspapers, not those of
SAATHII.