Rehabilitation policy needed for HIV positives

April 20, 2008

Rehabilitation policy needed for HIV positives, says Jagjit Singh

VERINDER SAREEN, Friday, 18 April 2008

NAWANSHAHR: Punjab Networking of Positive People Society, a Ludhiana-

based group of around 200 persons working for HIV-affected persons,

here Friday demanded a comprehensive rehabilitation policy for the

HIV and AIDS infected persons in the state.

Talking to PunjabNewsline.com here at Drug De-addiction Centre,

society's founder Jagjit Singh Mann said that victims of these deadly

diseases required more attention of the state government than they

were being given at the moment.

Besides providing them free bus facility, at least when they are

visiting the ART Centres for getting their dose of medicines, HIV

testing should be made mandatory while issuing of driving licenses

and registration of marriages, demanded Mann who further urged for

the opening of ART centres at all district headquarters in Punjab

with a view to mitigating hardships of the affected people.

The Society's founder further urged the religious leaders and public

representatives to come forward to make Punjab a HIV-free state. He

revealed that apart from raising voice at various levels and forums,

the Society was currently engaged in providing free nutritious meals

and counseling to persons esp. the widows and the children living

with the deadly virus.

Curtailing the activities of quacks who offer guaranteed treatment

for the disease, participation of the common man in the drive against

the disease would go a long way in containing its spread in Punjab,

further opined Mann.

The Society activists who included Dr Manjit Singh Mann, Dr Harjinder

Singh, social activist Mehar Singh and De-addiction Centre chief

Kashmiri Lal also talked to some HIV positive persons of the district

on the occasion.

" We have seen that HIV positive people who are informed are better

equipped to decide if they will let people know about their HIV

status, and they are also better equipped to challenge discrimination

and stigmatisation, " maintained Mann, adding that the society in

association with the district Red Cross Society would soon launch " an

AIDS-free campaign " in Nawanshahr.

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