Promoting systemic HIV/AIDS Discrimination by UPSACS

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

There is lot of discrimination as everyone had been writing about. The

discrimination especially in Uttar Pradesh is mostly spearheaded by UPSACS's

" IECs " .

Initially for couple of years hoardings on every bus screamed - " AIDS is a life

threatening disease " with four prominent reasons of its spread. There was no

talk of HIV & the difference between HIV & AIDS. A fear psychosis was created.

I believe in testing oneself every year and motivate all my friends &

aquatainces to do so every year - it is because to send a very strong

destigmatising signal to the society and also to treat it as part of yearly

health check up.When I wanted to get myself tested (earlier I was getting it

done in New Delhi for last five years) for the first time in Lucknow - as I

entered the room five hospital staff - who were chatting together commented

" dekho is bechare ko bhi ho gaya - kitna hansome lagta hai - zaroor s.... ne

bahut jagah munh mara hoga " (see this poor handsome person also got infected, he

slang must have " visited " many women). Many a times - till now people ask me

why are so passionate about this issue; are you HIV+?

The only thing that has changed is the number of people asking me that question

has fallen down in the last five years.

I am attaching for you all to read and find out what is the status of systemic

discrimination in Uttar Pradesh - till date HIV infected persons are considered

as HIV patients by UPSACS. It is pathetic. I sometimes wonder the selection

process & the induction these staff go through - it apparently appears that the

whole process is not very objective. There is also a need to look closely into

the whole process. We all can write about the discrimination faced but its time

that we do some thing in a collective manner.

I would suggest that all these forms of discrimination need to be protested and

given a collective voice - can UNAIDS take lead on this and give all a space to

share experiences but also for proactive advocacy.

With warm regards.

SUMAN JANA

E-mail: <sumanjana@...>