Re: US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in India

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Dear Forum,

Re: /message/7361

I have some comments. It is well and good that so much of ephasis is put on

availablity of ARV, but the fera is that it will never be able to keep pace with

increasing HIV/AIDS cases. Failure of 3 by 5 initiative may be a reminder. More

funds are required to be spent on preventive strategies, where it is most

needed. Trying to catch up 100 % treatment of reported cases can never succeed.

In the preventive strategies there are many things which can be ititiated, such

as:

Providing rest rooms/houses for truck drivers along the higways with screening

of educational audio-visuals, making it mandatory for the truck owners to keep a

packet of condoms in each truck.

A relay system in large truck operating companies where the aim would be that

all truck drivers return to their home by the nightfall, and further dstination

be covered by the relay team already stationed at relay stations (rest

rooms/homes)

Strategies for greater detection by providing testing centers near to the target

population. There is no point in having a testing center with SACS, or with

larger medical establishments since it may not be possible for all inmates of

FSW area to come out and go for testing.

Providing 'safe heaven' for IDUs for free exchange of syringes and needles. Make

enabling laws.

Making declaration of HIV/AIDS notifiable disease. There is no point in trying,

or helping in concealing the disease for the fear of social stigma. Such stigma

was prevelant in earlier days in case of TB and leprosy, but over a period of

time it has become acceptable, at least in case of TB, if not in case of

leprosy. It can certainly be said that even in case of leprosy the impact has

considerably reduced.

By only focusing on ARV we are frittering away meagre available monetary

resources.

There are hundreds of agencies providing financial aid. Could it be possible to

have these funds under the control of WHO for a unitary and focused appraoch all

over the world.

Therefore I feel a change in the basic approach to the whole question of

HIV/AIDS prevention is required.

A comrehensive startegy to deal with the menace may bring in more effective

results.

Thanks,

Lalji K Verma

e-mail: <lkv2005@...>