Rights and Responsibilities of People Living with HIV/AIDS

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

Well, I have been interacting with different cross sections of our society on

their perception on HIV - its spread & control. During these parlays I have come

across a few pertinent questions that have raised several questions within

myself.

As AIDS INDIA is a very huge and mature place to find answers to these questions

I am raising them for your responses.

Once while interaction with a group of students about the rights-based-approach

on the HIV issue one student stood up and asked - " Sir, we have been discussing

on the rights of HIV+ people for half a day but what are the responsibilities

of HIV+ person? "

I was taken aback by that question and honestly answered that I was not fully

prepared to answer & will do with the feedback of AIDS INDIA group.

Later it dawned upon me that people like us have been focusing on the rights

angle more and the responsibility angle was not articulated so much.

In NACP's we have been focusing on BCC (Behaviour Change Communication) in the

general population ; are we also trying that for HIV+ people? In an ideal

situation if the answer is yes then what do we want out BCC to change in the

HIV+ peoples' behaviour?

Friends you all have been working on this issue - I would request you to all to

help me put together the answers of the above two questions.

With warm regards.

Suman Jana

Social Scientist

+91 9335277257

e-mail: <janasuman@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Re: /message/8199

Thanks to Jana for flagging the issue.

There have been umpteen endeavours which clearly evince and establish the

responsibilities of PLHIV very effectively.

The positive speakers' bureau(which interacts for advocacy and sensitization

with myriad corporate,governmental and non governmental

organizations) facilitated by the network of the PLHIV, specific interventions

for positive prevention (how to maintain best possible health with a strongly

positive outlook with efforts to protect the

spouse/partners and others) and the unconditional support to and active

participation in all preventive and care,support and treatment efforts have

definitely strenghtened the response of all the stakeholders in ensuring a

concerted collective action against HIV/AIDS.

Commitment of the PLHIV is equally strong for the action for reduction of stigma

and discrimination (say field research facilitated by UNDP, Action Group

facilitated by the Solution Exchange,UNAIDS), camps for CD 4 testing in 24

districts of the state etc. and strengthening the efforts for preventive

measures at different levels.

Definitely less than 0.4% of the population must make all possible efforts to

improve the quality of their lives and also ensure that the rest of the 99.6% of

the population is also protected form acquisition of the infection.

I would appeal to the GSNP+, Engender health and all other organizations to

share the specific pursuits at different level for the benefit of the members of

the forum.

The moderator of the FORUM on his return from an assignment elsewhere will

definitely ensure the same.

Best wishes,

Dr.Rajesh Gopal.

Dr. Rajesh Gopal, MD

Joint Director,

Gujarat State AIDS Control Society (GSACS),

O/1 Block, New Mental Hospital Complex,

Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

PIN 380016

Phone (O) 079-22680211--12--13,22685210 Fax 079-22680214

E-MAIL: <dr_rajeshg@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum ,

Re: /message/8199

I agreed that as much as we PLHIV has Rights we also have our responsibility as

well. And i believe this 2 must always go hand in hand.

There may be many responsibility but i would like to point out that the first

and most important responsibility, i believe, of PLHIV is, to stop the HIV

transmission.

Loon Gangte

e-mail: <dnpplus@...>

[Guest guest]

Rights and responsibilities of people living with HIV/AIDS

Dear Forum,

I have been interacting with people living with HIV/AIDS from different sections

of society in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. I am running a helpline for HIV+

from Chandigarh by the name of KIRAN Helpline and as far as I am aware pepole

living with HIV have following responsibilities:

(a) There is no need for HIV+ person to restrict his/her daily activities at

work or home.

( Should avoid unprotected sexual intercourse with any partner.

© Should inform the health care providers (doctor, nurse etc.) about his/her

HIV status in case of injury or emergency.

(d) Should not donate his/her blood or any organs to others.

(e) Should disinfect any area in which his/her body fluids spill accidentally.

(f) should not get married without informing the life partner about his/her

HIV status.

And most of them are aware about their responsibility towards the society.

With Regards

Sarbjit Singh

Coordinator, KIRAN Help-line for HIV+

SCF 18/1 Sector 10-D. Chandigarh.

CONTACT: 0172-5016299, 9815397433

E-mail: <kiran14206@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

/message/8199

I have seen rising this questions since 1995. But of late people are again

dicussing it now as the rights and responsibilities of PLHA.

One important factor for the failure of positive prevention is, many people in

our society nearly 60-80% of them (this is my assumption) not gone for HIV

testing due to fear of stigma and discrimination.

If we address this issue rights & responsibilites of PLHA will make huge

difference in the primary prevention of HIV in our country.

Regards

Rama Pandian

Founder, Tamilnad Network of Positive People (TNP+)

27/22, Flowers Street, Saidapet, Chennai- 600 015.

Tel- 044-6591337, Mobile : 94440 40469

e-mail: tnpluz@...

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Re: /message/8199

I hope this makes it imperitive to understand that this argument of 'rights and

reposnibilties' cannot / should not be used or encouraged when people who

presume themselves to be negative (maybe among the 85-90% who do NOT YET know

their status) use this argument to extend a prejudiced 'logic' that some PLHAs

are presumably negligient and do not fulfil responsibilities, therefore they

should not get their rights UNLESS they fulfil their responsibilities.

The responibilities, which by and large, being based on ill informed fear of HIV

or morality.

Rights of all - including PLHAs are gauranteed and indivisible by nature

Discharge of responsibilities in the case of HIV especially (and indeed other

areas) is not just a 'moral' one of just saying that one should not spreading

the virus - but is also dependent on the structure - the accessible,

non-discriminative structure of providing empowerment and correct information to

PLHAs (without compromising confidentiality or risking their lives) - to enable

PLHAs to be 'responsible'

A layman example - if a man gets tested - has no decent pre test post test or

any cunselling of any kind - is not induced with empowerment to communicate risk

factor to closest partner, or is not taught that using a condom has a 'way' and

then is found to have somehow transmitted the virus.

Would you, in your right mind, and not with with a prejudiced mind, blame him?

And then end up 'universalising the blame and say ALL PLHAs are like this!

Adangerous precipice. Isnt it?

Just an observation

Ramesh Venkataraman

Asia HIV & AIDS coordinator

ActionAid International

e-mail: <ramesh.v.raman@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

Re: /message/8199

Its great to start such a coversation regarding the Responsibilities

of PLWHA. Positive Women Network (PWN+) is deeply concerned about the

Responsibilities of WLHA.

Before that PWN+ wish to insist one thing that the Rights of PLHA

are directly linked to the Responsibilities of PLHA.

The entire world should ensure the Rights of PLHA and to allow them

to fulfill their obligations to the society.

On the other hand PWN+ collected the opinion regarding the Responsibilities of

PLHA from WLHA. The out come are as below;

Ms.Padmaja- (General Secretary-PWN+)

1) PLHA should keen with the Prevention attitudes. They have the Responsibility

not to put others at risk.

2) PLHA can be the real faces and real voices to the society and they have the

Responsibility to be a main source of Information.

3) PLHA should organize themselves responsible to provide Psycho-social support

to other PLHA.

4) PLHA should ready to disclose their health status according to their

circumstances and responsible to cooperate for new researches on medicines.

5) PLHA has an important responsibility to lead a positive living which can help

others PLHA to live their life with positive approach.

Ms.Thaiyal Nayaki- (Member-TPWN+)

1) PLHA- having the responsibility of knowing their health status by getting

Basic HIV information.

2) PLHA are responsible to take immediate and appropriate treatment for their

Opportunistic diseases.

3) PLHA have the responsibility to know the basic information about Condom usage

Ms.Bindhu-(KPWN+)

The responsibility of PLHA is three and they are; Aware, Organize, and Avoid.

1) They must get aware about their status and should gain knowledge about the

Epidemic, Recent Medicines in Health care systems etc.

2) The responsibility to organize themselves to raise their voices

of their own Community would help the general public to know about the

realistic life of PLHA.

3) As for as Sexual and reproductive Rights Concern, PLHA must take

responsibility both to protect themselves and reduce risks for others

including their unborn babies and Avoid the spread of HIV at least to a single

digit.

4) PLHA need to lobby the respective Govt to provide valuable and meaningful

Roles for them within the Public Health system.

5) It is also the responsibility of PLHA to contribute in the Greater

involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS at all Levels to benefit not just

those involved, but organizations, the community, and society as a whole.

The above opinions are made by WLHA and PLHA community is aware and

ready to do their duties and responsibilities. But they are socially

stigmatized and severely hampered to do their responsibilities leading to severe

social consequences related to their rights, health care services, freedom, self

identity, and social interaction.

With regards,

P.Kousalya,

President, PWN+,

Mail:suseelaanand@...

Phone:04428203959