Pregnant women to undergo mandatory HIV test

[Guest guest]

Pregnant women to undergo mandatory HIV test

The Parliamentary forum on HIV and AIDS stated that very soon all pregnant

mothers in India would have to undergo a mandatory HIV test. They added that

passing the HIV virus to a child is a human rights violation and hence such

measure needs to be taken.

India, currently has almost more than 2.4 million HIV positive population.

Babies are born every year, in thousands, with the virus that is transmitted

from the infected mother's womb.

Our society is still learning to treat HIV patients with dignity. Most children

who acquire the disease are discriminated against in the society, due to the

fear of the disease. These children, at times, lose both the parents to the

disease and are left in the care of some relatives. There are also schools that

refuse to admit children once they reveal their HIV status. Some years ago,

there was a huge outcry in Kerala (the most literate state) when a school

refused to accept HIV positive children fearing that the other children would

withdraw from the school.

Fernandes, the head of the Parliamentary forum, reiterated that India

needs an HIV free future generation. No new born should suffer and passing of

the disease is violation of rights. He also urged everyone to make it a success.

The issue was later discussed with Michel Sidibe, the UNAIDS executive director.

The director said that by detecting the virus in every single pregnant woman

before delivery, the country can tackle the problem of a new generation

contracted with the virus. On his visit to India, he also said how it was

important for the political leadership to ensure this measure is implemented

thoroughly.

India has a bad record when it comes to public health care sector. A minimal

amount of money is allocated in every budget for this sector. However, Fernandes

said that the Panchayat would have to be involved in this to ensure it gets

implemented in the grassroots. Below poverty line families should also be

involved in this exercise.

http://www.merinews.com/article/pregnant-women-to-undergo-mandatory-hiv-test/157\

85982.shtml

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

Re: /message/10821

If passing the HIV virus to a child is a human rights violation is not giving

inferior single dose nevirapine therapy even in places it is possible to provide

better care not the same?

Will a human right violation in the form of mandatory testing solve another

human right violation?

Dr Ajith

--

Dr Ajithkumar.K

Asst Professor In Dermatology and Veneriology

Medical college Chest Hospital

MG Kav,Trichur, Kerala ,India

Ph 04872333322 (res)

9447226012

e-mail: <ajisudha@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear all,

/message/10830

Dr Ajith is probably mixing up issues.

Yes, certainly it is an issue of violation of rights of pregnant women who are

still being provided inferior and risky single dose nevirapine.

But that has nothing to do with mandatory testing. More than 0% women reach ANC

clinics before third trimester and can definitely be offered better regimens

even after proper councesing and testing.

Making testing mandatory is going to complicate things further especially in

private sector where uncontrolled dosclosure, stigmatization and denial of care

is still rampant.

There is no place for mandatory screening of anyone except the blood samples of

blood and organ donors.

PRAYAS Health Group

Amrita Clinic, Karve Road

Deccan Gymkhana

Pune 411004 (India)

Tel: +91 20 25441230, 25420337

prayashealth@...

www.prayaspune.org