Re: Samraksha Community Care Centre: Response to the office of the Chief Minister

[Guest guest]

Dear forum members,

Thank you for the ongoing advocacy on this issue.

A response to the Chief Minister's Office is attached.

All at Samraksha

June 4, 2003

Hon'able Chief Minister,

This is in reference to the mail from your office to Shri Bandopadyaya

posted on this forum on the 28 May.

We would like to bring to your attention that we did receive a call from the

Chief Health Officer, BMP, ordering us to shift the residents of our

Community Care Centre to the Isolation Hospital. He had also informed us

that it was within his power to close down the centre if we did not comply

at once. The matter has been subsequently resolved by the Commissioner, BMP

We have kept your office informed about the initial order as well as the

developments. Please find attached the three letters.We have also kept the

Forum informed about the developments.

We have had the full support and understanding of the Karnataka State AIDS

Society in dealing with the issue at various levels, and we thank you, as

its Chairman, for this support. Community attitudes take long to change and

a public statement from you saying that people living with HIV/AIDS can live

and be cared for in the community with no risk to anyone else will go a long

way in dispelling fears and promoting acceptance. The Karnataka State AIDS

Society is doing a series of such discussions on the radio and TV but a

personal statement from you would really make a difference.

With regards

Sanghamitra Iyengar

Director

Samraksha

email: si@samraksha