TN AIDS official's transfer sparks protest

[Guest guest]

TN Aids official's transfer sparks protest, NGOs appeal to Jayalalitha

August 28, 2002. Our Bureau, Mumbai

(http://www.pharmabiz.com/newsfeat/pharpeo293.asp)

A group of Chennai-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have

started an electronic campaign to block the transfer of Christodas

Gandhi, from the Tamil Nadu Aids Control Society (TNACS) to the Tamil

Nadu Warehousing Corporation. Gandhi was Project Director of TNACS

for more than one year but was transferred on August 24.

The group, which functions under the banner of South India Aids

Action Programme (SIAAP), has sent out appeals to members of several

e-mail networks, urging them to send protest letters directly to

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha.

" With due respect to the new incumbent, we feel this is not the right

time to transfer an individual who is reasonably aware of the complex

issues involved in addressing HIV and AIDS, and is committed to the

human face of the issue, " said SIAAP chief Shyamala Natrajan in her e-

mail.

The SIAAP team has also drafted a letter, which they are asking their

sympathizers and supporters to send by fax or e-mail to the Tamil

Nadu Chief Minister.

" Many projects in the State, including the Prevention of Mother to

Child Transmission of HIV and Voluntary Counselling and Testing are

in the process of being scaled up. Many multinational agencies such

as CDC, Atlanta and US AID are increasing their investments in HIV in

Tamil Nadu to ensure a model response, " the letter said.

" At this critical juncture, we need the services of an administrator

who is sufficiently knowledgeable about the complex issues involved

and is committed to a people centered approach. We are confident that

Gandhi has acquired both the understanding of the issue as well as

the necessary commitment in the last 14 months of his tenure. Any

changes in leadership, now, will retard the State programme by

another year and lead to loss of precious lives. This has to be

avoided at all cost. We request that the leadership at TNSACS be

retained for at least 2 years to help Tamil Nadu maintain its

position as leader of the response to HIV and AIDS in India, " the

SIAAP appeal points out.

Dr Shyamala and her colleagues for also hoping that a personal

meeting with the Chief Minister would enable them to convince her of

their point of view.

(http://www.pharmabiz.com/newsfeat/pharpeo293.asp)

[Guest guest]

Dear forum members,

Good to see so many NGOs pleading for not transferring a

governement officer in these times of scams and corruption at all

levels. Such officers should also be appropriately recognized by

the government.

Dr Ashok Kumar Agarwal, MBBS,MD

108, Rastraguru Avenue,

Nager Bazar, Kolkata -700028, India

E-mail: <drashok_1963@...>

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