Re: India Has Fewer AIDS Victims Than Thought

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum ,

I have always been depressed when figures are quoted ad nauseum about the number

of people living with HIV / AIDS in India . Various texts and scriptures and

techniques are quoted . Not to speak of the fact that different players have

different stakes in the number zig zaw.

Even if the figure was as low as 2 or 3 million, would it be out of context to

prioritise HIV / AIDS as an important issue in India?

We all are aware that even if the absolute number may be less than what we have

been used to hearing so long, HIV transmission has all its potency and

environment to create a worrying problem in the mileu in which we, in India,

are living.

Rather than juggling with numbers , let us do our mite in

1) effectively raising awareness among all section of society about HIV and AIDS

and related issues ( which , at this moment , there is nothing to be cosy

about,

2) provide necessary care and support to those who have been infected (which

again , at this moment , has lot of loose ends to be addressed ) and

3) strengthen research and developement in the field of HIV vaccines and drugs

which will be more efficient and effective ( where we are at present, at best ,

at nascent stage).

Dr Chiranjeeb Kakoty

Medical and Health Consultant

Guwahati

e.mail : chkakoty1@...

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Re: /message/7369

This report is shaking the entire community working on HIV and AIDS.

If national and international organisations are not convinced on their

estimate systems and calculations, why should they pressurize Community based

organisations setting up large target numbers and do programs that are simply

beating around the bush.

It is disheartening to see that still we dont have a right methodology in

calculating number of people affected and designing programs as well.

What ever the numbers are; whats happening in reality is that

1. There is an increasing number of people and widows living with HIV

2. Increasing number of children living with HIV

3. Increasing number of children orphaned and affected by HIV under

grandparents care

Though there is no scientific data to the above said concerns.

thats the truth where ever treatment, care and support projects are

implemented.

What would be the government's response to these pressing issues in phase III

of the National AIDS Control Program (NACP III)?

With regards

J. paul

LOVE-LISTEN-LEAD

kids fighting HIV and AIDS

Z-2 SAF Games Village

Koyambedu

Chennai 600 107. TN

INDIA

e-mail: <budsofchrist@...>