Assam: Mandatory HIV test before marriage

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Caste no bar, HIV test must-Govt mulls law as wedlock proviso

A STAFF REPORTER

Guwahati, June 12: If Dispur has its way, prospective brides and

grooms will soon have to rush for an HIV test before entering into

wedlock.

The state government today decided to introduce a law that will make

it mandatory for couples to undergo an HIV test before marriage.

The decision came with a scheme for the rehabilitation of orphans

whose parents have died of the AIDS virus as well as incentives for

those who undergo anti-retroviral treatment (ART).

This was announced by chief minister Tarun Gogoi at a meeting of the

Legislative Forum on HIV/AIDS, of which he is the chairman.

The 17-member all-party forum was formed in May this year to review

and monitor implementation of the AIDS Control Programme. It was also

mandated to prepare a draft legislation, when required.

The forum today held a threadbare discussion on the prospective

legislation at its meeting at the chief minister's conference hall.

The objective of the proposed law is to control the spread of AIDS in

the state.

The proposed legislation will make it mandatory for prospective

brides and grooms to present HIV test reports to confirm their HIV-

free status.

The first AIDS case in Assam was detected in September 1990. In March

2007, there were 612 AIDS cases in the state. Of these, 460 are men

and 152 women.

Before enacting the legislation, the state government will hold

consultative meetings to evolve a consensus across society. It is

being anticipated that there could be opposition from several

quarters against such a law. " Legal opinion will also be required for

making HIV tests compulsory as existing rules only allow voluntary

tests, " Assam State AIDS Control Society director J. Shyamala Rao

pointed out.

Two other states, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, too, are planning to

bring in such legislation, in the footsteps of Goa. However, Goa was

forced to withdraw the legislation in the face of public outcry, the

officials added.

The number of persons put on ART has increased by 67.31 per cent this

year as compared to 2005-06. To bring more people under the ART net,

the government is working on a package of incentives for those

undergoing treatment.

Rao said the government was considering the option of transporting

patients to ART centres free of charge.

This was to encourage impoverished people from far-flung areas to

come to the centres for taking advantage of ART treatment, Rao added.

This was in addition to the government's plans to make certain

periodical tests free of cost, such as the test for hepatitis, which

is mandatory for an HIV-infected patient.

The testing for CD4 cell count is already carried out gratis. Rao

said the government would soon come out with a microfinance scheme to

economically support HIV-infected persons. Another scheme for

supporting children orphaned by AIDS is also in the pipeline, Rao

added.

He said the details of the schemes were being worked out and would be

announced by the government soon.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070613/asp/northeast/story_7914142.asp