I do... if you are AIDS-free: National AIDS Policy

[Guest guest]

I do... if you are AIDS-free

ARUN KUMAR DAS

TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2002 9:32:01 PM ]

Matches made in heaven are often preceded by rather down-to-earth

negotiations. But while there's nothing official about the exchange

of horoscopes and discussions on dowry, there's a sarkari seal of

approval for the AIDS certificate. With the National AIDS Policy

making the demand legitimate, either party can now choose to enquire

about the HIV status of the groom or bride-to-be.

Elaborates a National AIDS Control Organisation official, ``The aim

of the Centre is to empower the demand for such a certificate with

official sanctity so that neither party is hesitant in this regard.

However, the need for such certification is not mandatory for a

wedding.''

Justifying the Centre's decision, Delhi State AIDS Control Society

project director NC Ray maintains that ``there is nothing unique

about the step in that the demand for AIDS certificates is granted

legal sanction by a number of Western countries.''

AIDS, without doubt, is one of the most deadly acronyms in the

medical dictionary. More so when one talks of India, where there are

3.97 million HIV-infected cases. In the Capital's context, while

22,000 HIV-infected cases have been reported, full-blown AIDS cases

stand at 666. Considering Tamil Nadu's 15,000 full-blown cases of

AIDS, Delhi seems to have kept the spread of AIDS in check. The

safety of numbers, however, does not cushion the dangers of this

disease. For, AIDS by any other name spells death.

http://www1.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=6689966 & sType=1

arunkumardas@...

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