AIDS in India: An Official Satellite Workshop

[Guest guest]

AIDS in India

An Official Satellite Workshop

of the 15th International AIDS Conference, Bangkok

All Indians Delegates, Friends and Supporters of India are Welcome

Date: 15th July, 2004; (Please note the change of date from 14th to

15th July)

Time: 18-20 hours

Venue: Room EC-4, Conference Centre,

Bangkok

Theme: " UNITY IN DIVERSITY TO FIGHT ADVERSITY & ACCESS TO ART "

Without going in the number-controversy, it is a common belief that

the AIDS scenario in India has assumed dangerous proportions and

demands priority in treatment accessibility, affordability and

availability in addition to preventive interventions. A visible

structural socioeconomic impact is not very far. While adequate steps

to extend HIV care are urgently required, the need for providing

access to ART has been adequately understood. Only a holistic, multi-

sectoral approach, using successful intervention strategies and an

effective coordination between NGOs, business community, pharma

industry and government along with community mobilisation can avert

the crisis. Ironically, even now the entire National AIDS Control

Program is donor-dependent, without any ownership and contribution

from our own coffers. The socio-cultural diversity, a unique feature

of India, presents a major challenge, which is compounded by

illiteracy (48%), poverty (GNP US$ 450), ignorance (nearly 50% people

are still unaware of HIV/AIDS) and a large population (one billion).

However, India's current status, while it is transitioning from

developing to the developed economy with nearly 120 billion $ foreign

reserves, along with its Generic Pharma Industry responsible for

providing Anti-retrovirals at 4 to 5% of the international cost

should enthuse its people, particularly PLWHAs, with self-reliant and

indigenous program for ART.

Peoples Health Organisation (India) has been one of the first Indian

NGO, spearheading the fight against AIDS since 1985 and largely

responsible for bringing India on the AIDS Control Map of the world,

is co-organising the event with the AIDS Society of India, a

professional body of physicians in HIV Care. PHO had organised

Satellite Workshops on 'AIDS in ASIA' from 1991 till 1998 at all the

International AIDS Conferences except that of Vancouver in 1996.

Since 2000, PHO has been organising Satellite Workshops on 'AIDS in

India'.

Registration for the workshop is free, but restricted to the

delegates of XV International AIDS Conference. Registration may be

done via mail, fax, e-mail and on the spot, however seats are

restricted to 150.

Dr.I.S.Gilada

Chair: AIDS in INDIA & Secretary General, PHO

Tel: 022-23061616; 23000016;

9820081566;

E-mail: ihoaids@...

Address in Bangkok (10-17 July): Quality Suites Airport Bangkok

(#3974) 99/401-486 Soi Benjamitr Chaeng Wattana Road Bangkok 10210,

Thailand; Phone: 2-9822065

Provisional Agenda: 15th July: 6 to 8 pm : Room EC-4

Opening Remarks: Dr.Helene Gayle, President Elect of Intl. AIDS

Society and Director of HIV, TB and Reproductive Health, Bill &

Melinda Gates Foundation

HIV/AIDS prevention & control strategies in India and its impact:

Sadhana Rout, NACO

Infrastructure for HIV Care: Dr.S.P.Aggarwal, Director General of

Health Services, GOI

`3 x 5' in India and Update: Dr. Wind-Andersen, UNAIDS-India

Prevention strategies in era of `3 x 5': Ashok ,Bill &

Melinda Gates Foundation

HIV/AIDS Prevention, Control and Management – an NGO perspective:

Dr.I.S.Gilada

Role of AIDS Society of India and other professional bodies: Dr.

Suniti

Experiences from Africa, Lessons for India: Dr. Hussein Coovadia,

South Africa

Direction for Donor Agencies: Dr. Lieve Fransen, European Union

Preventing Drug Resistance in the era of 3 x 5': Dr. Hans Jaeger

(Germany)

Followed by Panel Discussion/ Open Forum:

Prevention, Control and Management in India – Future

Strategies

......................................................................

Press Conference: 'AIDS in India'

DATE: 15 July: TIME: 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm

VENUE: Room A of Media Center

at the 15th Intl. AIDS Conference, Bangkok

Dr.I.S.Gilada/PHO [ihoaids@...]