Newsletter of the Indian Business Trust for HIV/AIDS
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Seventeen Issue : April, 2007
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  • AIDS kills, so does bias: Women suspected to be HIV+ killed

    Living with HIV/AIDS is bad enough, but what’s worse is to deal with a society that is insensitive, often brutal while dealing with them. A women, suspected to be HIV positive and whose husband died of AIDS, was allegedly murdered at Keutunga village in Orissa’s Puri district. This is the third such incident in the state.

    The 30-year-old widow had been ailing for sometime now after being left to fend for herself following her husband’s death. Sabita wasn’t sure if she was HIV+, as she had not undergone any medical tests but often fell ill. However the villagers felt that she was in the grip of the killer virus. Her two sons, 8-year-old Suresh and 5-year-old Rajesh, had been separated from her and were living with their maternal uncles.

    Some facts:

    • 625 people have died of AIDS in Orissa during the last six months.

    • 200 HIV+ cases are reported every month’

    • Ganjan: This district in south Orissa is the most vulnerable with 1952 positive cases, including 285 AIDS cases.

    • Cuttack: this is the second worst hit district with 957 HIV Positive cases and 106 AIDS cases


    Source: Orissa State Aids Control Organisation

    To read more log on to : www.hindustantimes.com
    25th February 2007

  • Army fights against AIDS

    The armed forces have waged a tough battle against AIDS among its personnel. Thanks to the number of measures undertaken to combat HIV on war footing, the incidence of life threatening disease has declined sharply in three services.

    Even as AIDS and HIV infection assumes epidemic proportion in the country, the armed forces appear to have controlled the spread of the deadly disease amongst its rank and file. In the year of 2006 there was no case of AIDS reported in the defence services. Besides, the proactive measures adopted by the forces has resulted in the number of military personnel testing positive for HIV dropping to just 37 last year, from 300 cases detected three years ago.

    "Getting affected by the HIV virus is no crime, but hiding it is. Personnel can face punishment if they fail to disclosed visits to sex workers. The services are trying to remove the stigma attached to the disease. We are sensitising officers and jawans about the dreaded disease, with bi-monthly lectures, slide shows and video presentations."

    For more information: www.tribune.com
    17th February 2007

  • Karnataka move: Pre-marital HIV tests mandatory

    Karnataka is set to bring in legislation to make pre-marital HIV tests compulsory.

    Health minister R. Ashok said that the government had been studying the issue since the past few months after demands from several non-governmental organisations for such a law. He said government had also approached the centre in this regard. Claiming that the manner in which the tests would be conducted and appointment of nodal centers for the same would be discussed at a later stage.

    "We want that there should be consensus on the issue first amongst the entire political class in Karnataka and other states before the measure is implemented."

    He said that the governments proposal on this front had been partially delayed due to efforts being made to introduce a simultaneous law on HIV tests in other states.

    "The government wants that the rule should apply even when the bride and groom are from different states," he added.

    For more information log on to:www.tribuneindia.com
    27th March 2007

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