Strike by the VCTC and ART Staff

[Guest guest]

DEAR FORUM MEMBERS

In view of the worlds AIDS day ie Ist dec 2009 the whole world

is coming forward to take up the care and support for the betterment of the

PLHIV. We should be are very much thankful to the people for taking up this

noble cause and help them to face the problems. There are many a programmes on

the board during the week in every nook and corner of the city and country in

their own capacity.

It is known that the HIV testing and CD4 test will not be undertaken from the

1st dec to 7th dec 2009 because the staff strike of the VCTCs

counselors and the lab techs of the ART and VCTC centres. We the PLHIV are so

much lucky that we are getting this kind of gift during the AIDS WEEK Isnt it?

Well who will be responsible for this loss of precious time to work for the

silent suffers who are afraid to speak out aloud about the problems they face

and to add to these, this strike of these

people will add to their worries.

It seems that there the people working are very insensitive to the problems and

are not concerned with the sufferings the PLHIV have.

There are some political motives behind this strike led by some people in the

staff of these places. The staff here are involved much more in carrying out

the activities of the union and are least bothered about the sample collection

and other related work of the centre.

Could’nt there be a humane touch be added? Why not the PLHIV should be

appointed at these places so that they can take care of the situation keeping in

mind their qualifications and abilities, sensitized minds, there are many of

them working in the field voluntarily and with very meagre earnings, if provided

a opening thru the SACS these people can be of better result oriented.

Keeping in view their qualifications and abilities they should also be given a

chance to serve the community as they themselves

have to under go the same suffering/situation if the strike takes place.

This is just a suggestion with no intention to hurt any ones feelings or

attitude.

One of the suffering representing of the positive people.

Positive network

e-mail: <mpwn482@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear forum

Re: /message/10988

Keeping in view the strike of the ART and VCTC staff during he AIDS week we the

Sanjeevan, NNP+ network people are in a peculiar situation, where will the

clients be directed when referred for counseling and HIV tests.

The list of pre ART LFUs provided by the ART centres such patients after much

convincing and spending their hard earned money, they come and have to go back

with- out under going the tests and later refuse to come without any fault of

theirs.  The LFU list gets a add-ons with situations like this.

It will be a chaos during the AIDS WEEK and also the Winter Assembly session in

the city.  The same situation had took place in the jan 2009 when these staff

underwent strike for their demand of higher payment under the aegis of their so

called union, during this period one PLHIV counselor of ART centre kept on

working besides the pressure put to join the strike. For this courageous effort

and taking up the fight single handedly we appreciate the work of this PLHIV

counselor, and would like some more like these to take up the cause for the

goodness of the community. This is an good example of implementing the GIPA

guidelines which will be appreciated by one and all.

Network of Nagpur by people living with HIV

sanjeevannnpplus@...

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

Re: /message/10988

In deed its irony to learn that during the WORLD AIDS week our ICTC/ART staff is

thinking of their future prospects and rather than assisting those are in dire

need and choose to go on strike.

During my discussion with the different PLHIV friends those are working in a

MSACS project said they choose to honor the MOU signed with MSACS and denied to

go on strike and keep essential services open to the fellow PLHIVs.

This morning the local Marathi daily published the story of a physically

challenged PLHIV with photograph with name person, waiting out side the ART

Centre for his turn to get treatment.

However, later I personally visited this person found that he receiving care and

supported by PLHIV ART staff those are not strike.

And notably there are many qualified and deserving PLHIVs from the local network

who are willing to work and provide services to the fellow PLHIVs and this is a

high time, to ensure the Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV (GIPA).

I also learned from the MASAC official who clearly stated that all the SACS

staffs are on perpetual contract and they need to respect the same.

It is tragic that in-spite of all the facilities provided by the Government

people have to suffer and deprived of essential services and experience the

hopeless situation

A word of advice and humble request to all the fellow workers/service providers

that please considers your demands as professional Social Workers as we all

expect more sensible and appropriate acts from them.

Regards,

Samir Shinde

Nagpur

e-mail: <samir_71@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear forum,

Re: /message/10988

1) Regarding the strike by the staff working at the ART Centres in the state of

Maharashtra, we would like to pose some very simple questions in front of the

concerning authority, as per the contract of the SACS the person appointed for

the job at the VCTC and the ART centres, do these people have the right to go on

strike for specific demands of theirs, with formation of so called unions with

holding up of the testing of the blood samples which are collected by the ART

centre and the counseling is also hampered.

If these fellow workers are having the rights should not they be considered, if

feasible and the important facilities which are given out by the government

should be made available to the needy patients who are need of it.

2) Here there is one suggestion that if these people are unable to join as per

the contract then, why not the people who are in the waiting list should be

given a chance, here if the GIPA is considered why not the PLHIV be given a

chance to serve the community with a better attitude and no stigmatization.

3) There are some PLHIV who are still working at the ART centres with no regards

to strike who were appointed on their status(PLHIV) and they are taking care of

that these facilities provided by the government giving them to the needy

patients at their best resources.

with regards

Network of Nagpur by people living with HIV

e-mail: <sanjeevannnpplus@...>