INP+ is outraged by the murder of Ponamma.

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum members,

INP+ is outraged at the death of Ponamma.

We claim that HIV/AIDS awareness is high in India. But is it really? Ponamma's

neighbors thought they were at risk of 'AIDS' simply by living in the same

locality as her!

Let's face it, no accurate information is being given to the general public.

Messages being sent out still confuse people and give rise to misconceptions,

fears and violence. Doubts about HIV/AIDS and people who are HIV positive are

not being clarified by these messages.

At this point of time, the government and agencies working on Prevention, have

no right to communicate information on HIV/AIDS, because they have already given

conflicting information and any new message from the same source will only cause

more confusion.

" I consider AIDS as the biggest enemy of society. Let us break this silence and

talk about AIDS " - Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, CM of Andhra Pradesh

Neighbors of Ponamma probably thought she was the enemy. The CM would have meant

well, but words should be used very carefully. If AIDS is something that lives

outside a person's body, this kind of sensational statements will work. But HIV

resides within a human body, and all HIV/AIDS related information should be

communicated with the upmost regard for a person's feelings and safety.

I appeal to all Positive peoples networks in the country to think on, and make

communication strategies to combat the misinformation that has been fed to the

Indian public. We DO NOT want to lose any more friends from the network in this

way.

The government needs to work with Positive networks in developing IEC material

that will educate, inform and sensitize the public with factual accuracy and

clarity.

Our heartfelt condolence to Ponamma's family and friends.

K.K. Abraham

President

Indian Network for people living with HIV/AIDS

E-mail: <inpplus@...>