Guwahati Declaration on HIV/AIDS

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

Below is the recent " Promise " by the Legislatures of the North Eastern States of

India 'to stop AIDS' in Guwahati on the 19th of November 2005 in a meeting with

the same and Dr. Piot, Executie Director of UNAIDS.

______________________

Guwahati Declaration of NE Legislatures – 19th Nov. 2005

We will stop AIDS for we care for our people

We, the elected representatives of the North Eastern States of the Republic of

India have come together, on this day, the 19th of Nov. 2005, in Guwahati to

address serious issues related to HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment in the

region and have resolved to undertake the following steps and tangible actions

to reverse the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS

We the elected representatives,

Recognize that HIV is an issue of growing concern in the North East states and

impact is exacerbated in the context of drug use and unsafe sexual practices.

Elected representatives are the crucial link between the people and the

Government. As advocates for the rights of people, we resolve to ensure that

mechanisms are in place so that the fundamental rights are not violated by the

impact of the epidemic and that people infected or affected are not subject to

discrimination

Will draft legislation and ensure its passage guaranteeing universal access to

information, prevention, treatment and services for the alleviation of AIDS

related impact

Will create a standing committee of the legislative house, chaired by the Chief

Minister, to review and monitor the state’s response to the endemic

Will engage the PRI institutions at village, block and district levels to

mobilize the participation of all from the Sarpances to the Zilla Parishad

chairpersons and Chief Executive Members of Autonomous Councils in the response

Strengthening infrastructure, especially the testing Centers and Blood Banks,

for matching the testing, Care and Support Treatment requirements at the

District level to ensure that infected persons have access to adequate services,

including psycho social support from civil society organizations and networks of

positive persons

Will support allocation of Funds for AIDS control Activities at all levels,

especially at the District and block levels

Are convinced that the impact of HIV epidemic is far reaching and requires the

involvement of a range of partners and sectors to bring about a change in the

situation. We will ensure integration of HIV control activities into mainstream

development through advancement of a multi-sectoral response.

Will ensure the correct AIDS prevention and control information is disseminated

through state Information and Public Relation departments, extension media as

well as e-governance/information outlets; and expand AIDS control response by

participation in TV discussion , radio talks and public rallies.

Will engage the education, home, police, social justice and social welfare

departments as well as representatives of positive ,people, marginalized

community, and all political parties and different sections of people

Will improve distribution and strengthen visibility, availability, coverage and

reach of condoms, consider needle-exchange programmes and harm reduction as key

strategies for AIDS prevention.

Will adopt special measures to protect youth and children and address the

feminization of the epidemic through empowerment programmes.

Will work towards mitigating the impact of the epidemic of families and

individuals, especially women ,children and elderly, infected and affected by

the disease.

Understand the AIDS is an exceptional epidemic. We also recognize the virus in

the region is moving from injecting drug users and other highly vulnerable

groups to the general population we acknowledge the need for a strong response

in our region.

Will create a regional AIDS prevention and control coalition of legislators of

the North East to consolidate actions in the region;

Will mobilize and synergize the participation of the Private Sector, Civil

Society, Faith Based Organizations, Opinion leaders, Media, Staff Unions,

Plantation Industry, Oil industry, Youth Leadership and persons living with HIV

to help build up the concerted action at the community level;

Will monitor the epidemic as well as the response by electoral constituencies to

reduce the HIV prevalence across the region through the implementation of the

strategic optional plan:

Will encourage the participation of public health staff and other social

workers, especially at the village and ward levels, through the institution of

regional awards of excellence and enhance measures to uphold accountability in

HIV surveillance and reporting.

By signing this declaration, towards strengthening of the response, both within

our state territories and the region, we accord the highest priority to

prevention and control of HIV and AIDS in the North East.

We commit to make this Guwahati declaration a people-centred, people-driven, and

people-owned initiative – a unique democratic instrument to contain the epidemic

and mitigate its impact.

We pledge to meet periodically, at least twice a year, to review the progress

and initiate appropriate actions where necessary, exchange experiences, share

knowledge, and execute cross border actions including joint planning,

mobilization and service delivery, towards the achievement of HIV resilient

families and AIDS-free communities.

Hoping for the best !!

Best Regards

Raju,General Secretary

North East India Harm Reduction Network NEIHRN

Imphal, Manipur State.

E-mail: <neihrnimph@...>