********************************************************** SAATHII Electronic Newsletter HIV NEWS FROM INDIA Source: 14/01/2008 Posted on: New Indian Express, Reuters, India EduNews.net, Kangla Online, Thaindian.com, The Hindu, and The Times of India COMPILED BY: Jacob Boopalan, and L. Ramakrishnan SAATHII Chennai Office. Note: this compilation contains news items about HIV/AIDS published in the Indian media, as well as articles relevant to HIV/AIDS in India published internationally. Articles in this and previous newsletters may also be accessed at http://www.saathii.org/orc/elibrary =============================================================== 1. Andhra Pradesh vows to fight AIDS New Indian Express, January 08, 2008. http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEU20080108040145&Page=U&Title=Hyderabad&Topic=0 2. Nepal radio breaks taboos to fight HIV/AIDS Reuters, January 09, 2008. http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSDEL17424320080109 3. Now, let's talk about sex: Anbumani New Indian Express, January 09, 2008. http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920080108001757&Title=Chennai&rLink=0 4. NACP-III: Voluntary blood testing centres to be opened New Indian Express, January 09, 2008. http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEQ20080109005436&Page=Q&Title=ORISSA&Topic=0 5. Mumbai hospital ties up with US college for AIDS research India Edunews.net, January 10, 2008. http://www.indiaedunews.net/Medical/Mumbai%5Fhospital%5Fties%5Fup%5Fwith%5FUS%5Fcollege%5Ffor%5FAIDS%5Fresearch%5F3094/ 6. First Assembly constituency level HIV convention held Kangla Online, January 11, 2008. http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=40726&typeid=1 7. AIDS affected widow ostracised with kids in Uttar Pradesh village Thaindian.com, January 11, 2008. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/aids-affected-widow-ostracised-with-kids-in-uttar-pradesh-village_10012537.html 8. More women opt for voluntary HIV testing The Hindu, January 12, 2008. http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/01/stories/2007120161421100.htm 9. HIV testing on minors come in for all-round condemnation Kangla Online, January 12, 2008. http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=40737&typeid=1 10. Red Ribbon Express chugs into city The Times of India, January 12, 2008. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lucknow/Red_Ribbon_Express_chugs_into_city/articleshow/2695725.cms =============================================================== 1. Andhra Pradesh vows to fight AIDS New Indian Express, January 08, 2008. http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEU20080108040145&Page=U&Title=Hyderabad&Topic=0 HYDERABAD: Many call them 'homosexuals', some term them as 'Gay', but they euphemistically express themselves as MSM, or plainly men who have sex with men. An official figure from Andhra Pradesh AIDS Control Society (APSACS) put their number in the state at 45,000, while community members claim their numbers to be around 1.4 lakhs. "The increasing number of MSMs has put a challenge for Andhra Government in fighting AIDS as Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and HIV prevalence remains high among this community," says G Ashok Kumar, the Project Director of APSACS. According to reports, MSMs face the highest possible risk of contracting HIV as most of them try to hide their sex life, which is considered to be responsible for high prevalence rate of HIV among the group. "As far as MSM is concerned, I must admit that this is a very weak area for us and we need to work on this more," adds Kumar. An estimate puts the HIV prevalence rate in MSM community at around five per cent. "But still there is a ray of hope, as examples of people braving up ridicule and ostracization keep propping up from within the community," he adds. "In fact, there is an elected Councilor in Narsaraopet Municipality (Guntur District), who is a self confessed MSM and during elections his status was disclosed. His opponents ridiculed him during the campaigns but he had the last laugh!" reveals the project director. Considering the need of a community-based organisation (CBO) for such people, 'Sneham' was formed to become first of its kind in the Anatapur district in 2006 on a democratic principle "of, for, and by MSMs." There are around 865 MSMs in the district, out of whom 30 per cent are HIV positive, who have joined 'Sneham' and share their concerns and strategies on a single platform. Many NGO's like Centre for Rural Action (CERA) have also turned up in recent times to take forward the cause of these groups in particular with the larger aim of fighting an epidemic called HIV/AIDS. "Earlier whenever we used to go outside, even for particular social campaigns, police used to beat us. Besides, the villagers used to call our names and threaten us," express the community members on condition of anonymity, about their problems that they faced from the society and the administration. The situation is now changing and for the better, as "we are receiving the administrative support besides, words of praise from local people for our efforts during pulse polio campaigns and installation of drinking water facilities in public places etc." The last meet of 'Sneham' at the district police station complex in 2006 was attended by around 1,000 MSMs. There, administration's support was clearly visible as the District Magistrate was the chief guest at the event. The community members' "struggle for existence" was realised when five of its members were granted land 'pattas' in Nandamuri Nagar of the district by the administration. It was granted only after these people submitted a memorandum, demanding land for the HIV infected MSMs who, besides facing social problems, can not work as commercial sex workers. "Creation of a CBO is boon for us as it has given us an opportunity to come out and give voice to our feelings. Even we organise valentines day meet, where all of us gather to share our feelings," feels Srinivas, a member of the community. Out of the 865 registered members, 20 per cent of the MSMs stay together while five of them married in November last year in a ceremony at Peddavadaguru mandal in the district. 'Sneham' has a joint bank account in the name of its president and treasurer, and is used for the purpose of distributing it to mates, who want to pursue petty business. The number of people enlisted with 'Sneham' is increasing and that is an enough indication about the community, who are coming open about their relationships. Such relationships are not only the target of social ridicule but also face a ban by section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (bans unnatural sex). Optimistic about his states positive role in tackling the HIV menace and programmes for the MSM group, the project director, says, "it is now our turn to come out with certain programmes for the group." "I have visited their 'drop in' centres at Guntur and Vishakapatnam districts. These centres are a meeting place for them to discuss their issues and not a point for picking up partners," he says. "The fact that these centres exist in 'respectable' colonies inside the city with public knowledge and it is an indication of the society, slowly coming to terms with them," says optimistic Kumar. Andhra Pradesh is the one among other Indian states to have most people living with HIV/AIDS. =============================================================== 2. Nepal radio breaks taboos to fight HIV/AIDS Reuters, January 09, 2008. http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSDEL17424320080109 KATHMANDU: Ignoring social taboos in this conservative nation, a Nepali radio program on safe sex is spreading awareness against HIV/AIDS and offers life-saving advice to young people who are vulnerable to the disease. Confined only to a few towns six years ago, "Chatting with my best friend", a youth-friendly program about serious day-to-day issues like sexual health and HIV/AIDS, has expanded to cover much of this mountainous nation. Many Nepalis are now glued to the weekly, hour-long program. "Initially we got letters complaining against the discussions on use of condoms, sex or sexual organs," Binayak Aryal, a producer for the program, said. He said social attitudes had now changed since the program began in 2001 and it is now aired through 35 hugely popular FM stations as well as the state-run Radio Nepal. "Now there is a change. Even parents and school teachers advise the young people to listen to the program about sexual health." Nepal, one of Asia's poorest countries where millions live in remote villages, has long had a conservative attitude to sex. For example, homosexuality is taboo and "unnatural sex", as it is termed by the law, can fetch up to one year in jail. Hosts of the hour-long program chat about how injecting drugs and unsafe sex cause HIV and seek to promote the use of condoms for safety in a youth-friendly language. "It also imparts life skills to the youth dealing with emotion, stress and communicating issues that can't be discussed with parents," said Nirmal Rijal, Nepal unit chief of the San Francisco based aid group, Equal Access, which produces the program with UNICEF support. According to official estimates about 70,000 of the Himalayan nation's 26.4 million people are living with HIV. Many of them have no access to information about the disease and do not talk about their problems openly in families for fear of being stigmatized in the majority-Hindu nation. "Any problem or issue can't be solved by pushing it under the carpet," Rijal said. "Without talking, these issues remain a taboo. It is something that needs to be discussed." Rijal said his agency received about 1,500 letters every month from listeners who openly write about their problems and ask for remedies. One anonymous listener, who had tested HIV positive, wanted to know whether he should conceal the disease or make it public and how, according to Rijal. "It talks about different options and ways to communicate their problems but offers no clear-cut solutions," he said of the program. "The final decision about what to do is up to them." Some listeners agreed. "Initially it was embarrassing to listen to the program in the family. But now I think it is okay because it discusses some of the problems we face in practical life," said Srijana Khatiwada, 27, a university graduate. =============================================================== 3. Now, let's talk about sex: Anbumani New Indian Express, January 09, 2008. http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920080108001757&Title=Chennai&rLink=0 CHENNAI: In a country of over a billion people, it is not sex that is found wanting, but rather the awareness about safe and proper sex. "As much as 86 per cent of HIV transmission is through unsafe sex. Thus, over 600 million youth in our country are at risk due to lack of awareness. All this while, we were doing sex and not talking about it," said Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Anbumani Ramadoss, adding, "It is time we talked about it." "If Sachin Tendulkar comes in a softdrink advertisement, there are many to buy the product. But when we try to create awareness about AIDS, despite our perseverance, we are finding it difficult to send the message across to the targeted group," said the Minister, during the launch of a new initiative called `Celebrating Life" a curriculum compiled by Tamil Nadu State Aids Control Society (TANSACS) at Loyola College on Monday. Of the HIV positive persons in the country, over 45 per cent were women due to no fault of theirs, while 40 per cent is from the rural areas of India, pointed out Ramadoss, urging college students to spread awareness against promiscuous sex, drinking, smoking and drug usage. Women need to know more about the issues, as they are at more risk, he said, adding that a youngster may listen to his friend rather than an adult, when it comes to awareness. Recounting his personal experience when a youngster said he would change only if he wants to, Secretary of US Department of Health and Human Services, Michael O Leavitt, asked the gathered students to change from within to change others. Impressed by the skit performed by members of the Red Ribbon Club (RRC) of Loyola College, proclaiming that it was ok to say 'no' to bad habits even if prodded by friends, Leavitt said that his one line advice to the youngsters in the country would be an emphatic 'no, no, no' to bad habits. Leavitt released Celebrating Life curriculam, handing over the first copy to Ramadoss during the function. State Health Minister MRK Panneerselvam, TANSACS project director Supriya Sahu, US Consul General David T Hopper and Loyola College principal Albert Muthumalai were present. =============================================================== 4. NACP-III: Voluntary blood testing centres to be opened New Indian Express, January 09, 2008. http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEQ20080109005436&Page=Q&Title=ORISSA&Topic=0 BHUBANESWAR: Even as Orissa has embarked on implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Control Programme (NACP), Phase-III, it officially has only 7,788 HIV-afflicted persons. The prevalence is based on blood tests carried out in the State till November-end last year. As many as 2,34,765 samples had been tested, of which 5,037 men and 2,751 women were detected to be HIV positive. Of the total, about 910 had developed full blown AIDS and 693 had already succumbed, reveal statistics put forth by the Orissa State AIDS Control Society. The Society, which is implementing the NACP-III, sponsored by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and DFID, has decided to open 75 voluntary blood testing centres across the State while expanding the provisions to the community health centres too. Around 66 NGOs are to be involved in the implementation of the programme. Identification and selection of the organisations has started and would be completed by March this year. Around 23 NGOs had already been selected for the purpose, Project Director Parameshwar Swain said. The objective of NACP Phase-III is to halt and reverse the AIDS epidemic in India over the next five years. In Orissa the programme would continue till 2012. The aim is also to prevent new infections in high risk groups and general population through targeted interventions, scaled up interventions in general population, increasing the proportion of people living with HIV/AIDS who receive care, support and treatment, strengthening the infrastructure, systems and human resources in prevention and treatment programmes from the national to State, district and block-level and increasing awareness. A three-day training programme for workers of the selected NGOs is underway here for ensuring fruitful extention of the NACP-III to the grassroots. =============================================================== 5. Mumbai hospital ties up with US college for AIDS research India Edunews.net, January 10, 2008. http://www.indiaedunews.net/Medical/Mumbai%5Fhospital%5Fties%5Fup%5Fwith%5FUS%5Fcollege%5Ffor%5FAIDS%5Fresearch%5F3094/ Mumbai: Aiming to improve HIV-related research in India, a government-run hospital in Mumbai has joined hands with a New York-based medical college to hold a clinical training course in AIDS research. A team of five faculty members, including two Indian Americans Sarita Shah and Neel Gandhi from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, is conducting the course at the B.Y.L Nair Hospital to promote a culture of research among healthcare professionals in the developing world as part of the AIDS International Training and Research Programme. The four-week training course, which will conclude Feb 1, is being carried out for the first time outside the US. "Back home we conduct a six-week seminar on clinical research. In Mumbai we will specially train medicine professionals, three from Rwanda and seven from different cities of India, to carry out AIDS research in India, Bangladesh and Rwanda," Shah told IANS on Wednesday. Jayanthi Shastri, the course director and head of department of microbiology at the Nair Hospital, admitted that Indian researchers fail to make an impact in international journals because of improper data collection and faulty analysis. "The main purpose of this initiative is to equip mid-level healthcare professionals to conduct independent research. Our researchers have to match up to international cadre," said Shastri. The team will also take up a pilot project at Kamathipura, Mumbai's red light district, on the prevalence of AIDS and conduct a demographic study on commercial sex workers, added Shah. =============================================================== 6. First Assembly constituency level HIV convention held Kangla Online, January 11, 2008. http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=40726&typeid=1 IMPHAL: The first-ever day-long convention on HIV/AIDS by Manipur Legislators` Forum on HIV/AIDS (MLFA) began today at Konthoujam assembly constituency. The Manipur Legislators` Forum on HIV/AIDS was formed on June 30, 2007 to make political commitment to meet the challenges of HIV/AIDS a reality in Manipur with the Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly as the chairman. Konthoujam is the first assembly constituency where the convention is being held. The chief guest of the function, Speaker Dr S Buddhichandra said that numerically the rural population in India is far greater than the urban population. Likewise, in Manipur too people living in the rural areas are larger than those settled in the capital, said the Speaker. The Speaker continued, "So there is greater need to reach out to those in the periphery. Thus the elected leaders at both the legislative and grassroots levels need to get involved in meeting the challenges of HIV/AIDS collectively." Member of MLFA, MLA S Joy said, "Let us all take responsibility to stop AIDS personally. HIV spread is preventable. Let us take the responsibility as individual to prevent further spread." Giving the keynote address, Sushil Huidrom, state coordinator UNAIDS said that with the feminization of the HIV pandemic, the time has come to genuinely and seriously discuss the issues of HIV and AIDS to save more women and children from getting infected. Sushil said that similar day-long conventions on HIV/AIDS will be held in 24 assembly constituencies of the state by March 2008. Today`s convention was presided by Ch Bijenti, up-adhyashak, Imphal West, GP Yurembam. MLAs S Joy and Dr H Borajao, who are also members of MLFA, were the guests of honour. Dr Khmdon Lisham and deputy director of MSACS Dr Premchand were the resource persons. The convention was organized by Manipur Legislators` Forum on HIV/AIDS along with KYUC Konthoujam with the support of UNAIDS at Konthoujam Community Hall. =============================================================== 7. AIDS affected widow ostracised with kids in Uttar Pradesh village Thaindian.com, January 11, 2008. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/aids-affected-widow-ostracised-with-kids-in-uttar-pradesh-village_10012537.html Pratapgarh: Wide scale misinformation about HIV and AIDS is making life impossible for victims in an Uttar Pradesh village. A 25-year-old woman along with her three children here has been turned an outcast by her in-laws for being affected with AIDS that she contacted from her husband. Her in-laws have ostracized the mother and her kids after her taxi driver husband died. He used to work in Mumbai. ?My in-laws told me to leave the home. I pleaded and asked how I could leave the home just like that. They told me that till the time my husband survived you were allowed to stay but now since he is no more, it is better if I leave their place as well, said Badrunnisha, the widow and AIDS affected. Although the Government has launched a nation-wide programme to educate the people about the disease, the stigma is still widely prevalent. Social workers from a voluntary forum have taken up her cause to help Badrunnisha to regain her rightful place in the society. ?The way Badrunnisha has been forced out of her husband?s home is absolutely unfair. She got this (disease) from her husband. They can?t blame her for this. She should get all her due rights and be allowed to stay with her family again,? said Pooja Yadav, a social worker in Pratapgarh District. District health officials call the unfortunate development as the result of social stigma. ?We have told our (health) workers to explain and enlighten the villagers about the disease, and that it can happen to anybody, anywhere and anytime. And we are following up with the development,? said Dr. Ram Gopal Verma, Chief Medical Officer, Pratapgarh. India has roughly 2.5 million people infected with HIV, less than half the number of cases that previous studies estimated. An earlier U.N. study had estimated 5.7 million HIV cases, which would have been the highest total in the world. But as per the latest available data, India, which has a population of 1.1 billion, has fewer HIV cases than South Africa and Nigeria. =============================================================== 8. More women opt for voluntary HIV testing The Hindu, January 12, 2008. http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/01/stories/2007120161421100.htm CHENNAI: The consistently high levels of women?s participation in HIV counselling and testing programmes remain a striking feature of the campaign against HIV/AIDS in Tamil Nadu. Women outnumbered men who reported at the 760 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTC) established by the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS), according to data released by it for the period between January and September this year. About 2.65 lakh women turned up for the voluntary counselling and testing services as opposed to the 2.54 lakh men who opted for the important assessment. This is besides the over six lakh mothers who participated in the Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission Programme. Over 14 lakh persons, including nearly 10 lakh women, have so far undergone counselling and testing. Of these, 27,679 persons have tested positive, representing a positivity rate of 1.93. So far this year, the highest number of ICTC attendees is in the 30-39 age group, with an estimated 80, 632 women and 72,384 men reporting at the centres. In contrast, the 25-29 age group featured 67,104 women and 44,934 men and the 20-24 age group had 43,708 women and 30,712 men. The high participation rates of women weave an interesting sub-plot to what has turned out to be a strikingly successful campaign that has seen falling prevalence rates (the latest being 0.375 per cent), resulting in Tamil Nadu being taken off the list of ?high-prevalence? States. Record increase The voluntary counselling and testing programme has of late seen a record increase in the proportions of people reporting at ICTCs. Between 2000 and 2005, the participation in the counselling-testing services steeped from 0.43 lakh to 7.1 lakh, while in 2006, the figure crossed the million mark. The number of patients registering for anti-retroviral treatment has also gone up significantly in recent years: from the 5095 patients registered in 2005, the numbers rose to 15,683 in 2006. In 2007, the State had over 60,000 patients registered for the treatment across the 26 treatment centres, according to the data. ?The stage is, perhaps, ideally set for increasing the focus on evolving better social security mechanisms for affected women,? said TANSACS project director Supriya Sahu. Women are essentially the focus groups of interventions both because HIV/AIDS officials feel that they are the most vulnerable to social security concerns and most likely to be saddled with the responsibility of family management and children?s education. =============================================================== 9. HIV testing on minors come in for all-round condemnation Kangla Online, January 12, 2008. http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=40737&typeid=1 IMPHAL: Several NGOs working in the fields of drug de-addiction and HIV/AIDS have strongly condemned the act of the volunteers of the Centre for Research and Social Development, in conducting HIV tests on several underage children without the consent of their parents. Representatives of SASO, MNP+, People of Positive and Care Foundation, at a meeting today, categorically condemned the act of the CRSD volunteers, which they maintained violates the human dignity and the rights of the children. The NGO representatives have also called for the CRSD to be blacklisted from the Registrar of Societies, Manipur, with immediate effect for bringing disrepute to NGOs working for the cause of people living with HIV/AIDS in Manipur, and also decided to draw attention of the concerned authorities, including the MSACS, commissioner, health, and the seretary, Manipur Legislature Forum on HIV and AIDS. The NGO representatives also cautioned fellow NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS to focus on the dignity of the people for whom they are working and not to violate ethical norms in their functioning. Meanwhile, the two volunteers involved in the conduct of HIV tests on nine children without the consent of thier guardians have been terminated, said the CRSD today. The children today revealed that they were taken for the test to RIMS after offering sweets to them. The children said that they were sent to their respective homes after being paid Rs. 90 each. The volunteers also asked the children to tell the doctors at the hospital that they hailed from Chandel district and were told not to speak Manipuri during the course of the tests. The Centre for Research and Social Development, Sagolband Moirang Leirak, Imphal in a statement issued today said that an emergency executive meeting of the body resolved to terminate the two volunteers P Kenedy and S Tombi Singh with immediate effect for their moral responsibility for violation of protocol in conducting the blood tests. The statement signed by CRSD president AK Kerani Singh further said that they also expected the two to resign as secretary and project co-ordinator of CRSD immediately while deeply apologising for the mental trauma and emotional suffering caused by the organisation to the children and their parents. On the other hand, in a surprising move, a former founder member and present advisor of the CRSD while talking to mediapersons at MNP+ maintained that the exercise was done in good faith though there was some misunderstanding among the staff of the NGO. Staff of the VCTC laboratory of RIMS microbiology section where the tests were conducted also maintained that HIV testing on the minors were done after fulfilling the formalities of the test. Surpriya, councillor of VCTC, RIMS insisted that yesterday`s test on minor children was carried out at the centre on the ground that the NGO is a registered body and came to the centre for the testing after completing the formalities including the parental consent and mandatory counselling before conducting test. =============================================================== 10. Red Ribbon Express chugs into city The Times of India, January 12, 2008. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lucknow/Red_Ribbon_Express_chugs_into_city/articleshow/2695725.cms LUCKNOW: Students were out in full numbers to benefit from Red Ribbon Express - a special AIDS awareness train that reached Charbagh station on Saturday. The train has separate coaches for training, exhibition and testing which means those willing to be tested for HIV can get it done on the train. "It was the first day of the train in Lucknow and response from the people was overwhelming," said Mukta Sharma, regional co-ordinator, population foundation of India. The theme of the train is mainstreaming the issue of HIV/AIDS which invites so much of social stigma. The train is a joint effort of National AIDS Control Society (NACO), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Rajeev Gandhi Foundation, UNICEF and Indian Railways. The train was flagged off on world AIDS Day on December 1, 2007 from New Delhi by Congress party president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. During the one-year journey, the train will move through Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, before it returns to Delhi on November 28, 2008. The train that has counsellors on board, offers a facility to train those from policy-making groups and NGOs on HIV/AIDS. As part of the drive, even the station area has been provided with lot of information material. The train has also been provided with coaches for folk artists to perform informative street plays and also visit near-by areas, especially villages, to educate people on HIV/AIDS. The effort is basically dedicated to youth. "If we plan it well, even with limited resources we will do wonders in controlling the deadly syndrome," said Sharma. The train is a hub of information as far as the malady is concerned. It also fixes the role and responsibility of various segments of the government as far as creating awareness and checking the spread of disease is concerned. The train will be in Lucknow till Sunday, after which it will move to Kanpur. =============================================================== Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in the above articles are those of the respective newspapers, not those of SAATHII.