The state of HIV&AIDS Prevention Programme in Orissa

March 4, 2009

ODISHA-One a consortium of NGOs & CBOs working in the field of Sexual

Reproductive Health & HIV & AIDS.

28 February 2008: in a Red Ribbon Club Meeting held in Mahamayi Womens College,

Berhampur Dr. Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik, MLA Berhampur in his key note

address stated, " People with AIDS should be segregated and should not be allowed

to mix with ordinary people, as that will spread AIDS (Dr. Chyau Patnaik is a

MBBS). The Principal of the College, Kalicharan Panda in his speech said, " why

should State pay expenses of the people with AIDS for the mistakes they commit " .

11 February 2009: In Berhampur University a sensitization workshop on HIV and

Migration was held, this was organized by Central Board for Workers Education.

The Vice Chancellor of Berhampur, Dr. Bijoy Kumar Sahoo in his key note address

spoke briefly about HIV & AIDS and said, "

HIV is dangerous and so contagious that it can spread through touch " . He further

stated, " A few African people killed a monkey and ate the meat of the monkey

resulting in spread of this virulent disease.

In the same meeting Dr. Trinath Behera, the MLA of Gopalpur and retired Chief

District Medical Officer said the following, " if you go and shave in saloon, or

have a haircut then you will get AIDS, he further said, `Prostitutes have been

given certificate that they are not infected with AIDS', and further said, `when

you visit them ask them for their certificate, once you have verified then

proceed'

In another meeting of the Red Ribbon Club held at Sasana High School retired

CDMO, currently working as contractual Medical Officer in Jagdalpur was invited

as Chief Speaker said, " people say that AIDS cannot be spread through mosquito,

but I don't believe it, AIDS is spread through mosquito " .

In PPTCT training facilitated by Aruna and supported by Aruna and OSACS, Doctors

argued that AIDS can be spread through mosquito bites.

Chandrasekhar Sahoo, MP, Berhampur has in several meetings said, People with

AIDS get it because of sins and mistakes they have committed.

In the ART Centres 2 Kg cereals are being provided to PLHIV & AIDS on the packet

it has been stamped, it is only for people living with HIV & AIDS. When PLHIVs in

Berhampur reacted they were asked to give it back or shut up.

All of these campaigns have been undertaken in the high prevalent district of

Ganjam

Don't these incidents say something about Orissa and the HIV & AIDS programme in

Orissa?

Do we still feel that enough is being done to prevent HIV & AIDS in Orissa?

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