India determined to check AIDS spread:

[Guest guest]

India determined to check AIDS spread:

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, JULY 16. Gandhi, Chairperson of the National

Advisory Council and the Coordinating Committee of the United

Progressive Alliance, today affirmed India's political resolve to

combat AIDS within the framework of economic growth and social

welfare.

She expressed confidence about India's technological capabilities to

do so as she addressed the concluding session of the 15th

International AIDS Conference in Bangkok on Friday. Pointing out

that India " figures prominently " in the " doomsday scenarios'' about

the global spread of AIDS, she emphasised " there is no room for

complacency " . She would, in the same context, " categorically assert

the determination and ability of the Government and the people of

India to meet this daunting challenge, just as effectively as they

did in the campaign to eradicate smallpox some decades ago " .

Noting that the international community " may be aware that some

Indian companies have gained global recognition for developing

inexpensive generic drugs, " Ms. Gandhi said " some of these are being

used in many countries around the world " . It was in this context

that India had now " made a beginning " in resorting to anti-

retroviral treatment in the fight against AIDS " as part of the

Government's programme " . This " is being scaled up''.

Sounding a note of strategic resonance about India's battle against

the disease, she said " AIDS control already accounts for about 10

per cent of our national health budget " . While many Indians " believe

that we are paying disproportionate attention " to AIDS control, at

the expense of efforts to combat other major diseases, " the present

Government does not share this view " . The latest Indian budget made

an increased allocation for the National AIDS Control Organisation,

and yet " we recognise that the amount needs substantial

augmentation " .

India would, therefore, seek the " sustained understanding and

support " of multilateral and bilateral financing agencies on the

international stage. " The new Government " in India had not only

turned the spotlight on AIDS control as part of the " very first

articulation of its priorities " .

The accent now centred on " a variety of means including increased

funding, greater involvement of non-governmental organisations, more

widespread education and better health facilities " . Tracing that

India " has had a number of success stories " in the last few years in

the fight against AIDS, Ms. Gandhi said: " The entire chain of blood

supply has been made safer. Condom use has spread and could have a

significant impact on HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in high-risk areas.

Vaccine development initiatives have been launched with

international collaboration. We are aware that vaccines will not be

available for quite some time, but we recognise their enormous

potential. I do hope that we will be in a position to launch field

trials soon " .

Given her standing as an international campaigner in the battle

against AIDS, Ms. Gandhi said: " My own interactions with HIV/AIDS

patients have brought home to me the heartbreak and trauma that this

disease wreaks, not just on those directly affected but also their

families " . Underlining that " there is a need to target stigma and

discrimination and to safeguard the rights of people living with

AIDS, with regard to access to information, services and treatment " ,

she said " country-wide consultations " were now being held in India

for " drafting legislation to address these " concerns.

Striking a personal note while drawing attention to the role of non-

governmental agencies in combating AIDS, she said the Rajiv Gandhi

Foundation had been active in mobile counselling and testing.

" UNAIDS has included this mobile clinic programme in its toolkit of

local responses to HIV/AIDS as one of the best global practices. "

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Forwarded by: Akanksha Rastogi

E-mail: rastogi21akanksha@...