HIV Testing of underage persons

[Guest guest]

HIV Testing of underage persons

Dear Moderator,

The NGO I work with manages a community based VCTC as part of our

integrated RCH -HIV programme. As part of our activities we have been

encouraging persons to avail of the counselling and testing services

at the VCTC.

Recently we have been faced with a problem which appears to have

legal implications. How do we test a person who has yet to attain the

age of majority (18 in India)?

We have had a number of boys in the age group of 14 - 18 years who

have reported to the VCTC. We have provided them with pre-test

counselling but have not provided them with testing as we require

their parents to provide their consent. The boys are not willing to

have their parents brought into the picture and hence we are faced

with a piquant situation.

Further in the case of a married minor girl is the husband her legal

guardian? What if he too is a minor?

We have engaged in awareness generation but are unable to provide

these young people with the promised services.

What is the legal position in such cases? I request members to offer

their advice!

With Best Wishes,

Lt Col (Dr) Anil Paranjape

Pune

e-mail: <anilvparanjape@...>