********************************************************** SAATHII Electronic Newsletter HIV NEWS FROM INDIA Source: Siasat.com, Deccan Heralad, New Indian Express, Patna Daily and Thaindian.com. Posted on: 16/02/2008 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. CII organises HIV/AIDS training programmes in city Siasat.com, February 11, 2008. http://www.siasat.com/english/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=244188&Itemid=63&cattitle=Andhra%20Pradesh 2. Every fifth gay in Blore is HIV+ Deccan Herald, February 12, 2008. http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Feb122008/national2008021151752.asp 3. Gypsies have their own ideas about HIV/AIDS New Indian Express, February 13, 2008. http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IET20080212191739&Page=T&Title=Southern+News+-+Tamil+Nadu&Topic=0 4. HIV AIDS Clinical Care Program for Nurses Patna Daily, February 13, 2008. http://www.patnadaily.com/news2008/feb/021308/clinical_care_program.html 5. Red Ribbon Express Arrives at Patna Junction Patna Daily, February 13, 2008. http://www.patnadaily.com/news2008/feb/021308/red_ribbon_express_arrives.html 6. AIDS/HIV affected celebrate St.Valentines Day in Chennai Thaindian.com, Februrary 14, 2008. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/aidshiv-affected-celebrate-stvalentines-day-in-chennai_10017548.html 7. Activists, HIV positive people want a law on AIDS Thaindian.com, Februrary 16, 2008. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/activists-hiv-positive-people-want-a-law-on-aids_10017950.html =============================================================== 1. CII organises HIV/AIDS training programmes in city Siasat.com, February 11, 2008. http://www.siasat.com/english/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=244188&Itemid=63&cattitle=Andhra%20Pradesh Visakhapatnam: The CII today organised a HIV/AIDS and Anti-retroviral therapy training programme for Nurses and Lab Technicians in Visakhapatnam. The training programme was organised in association with Australia-India Council (AIC), AP State AIDS Control Society (APSACS), India Australia Council (IAC) and Indian Business Trust(IBT) for HIV/AIDS, a release here said. CII Vizag Zone Chairman and Lazarus Hospitals Ltd, Managing Director Varma Vegesna, while delivering the welcome address, said a serious gap was existing on Good laboratory practices, universal precautions and needle stick injuries, which need to be addressed. Emphasising the need for awareness about the disease, he said the stigma and discrimination should be done away with and every one should realise that HIV/AIDS is a manageable disease and not just a disease that kills. Additional Director of Medical and Health Services and APSACS Additional Project Director B Kalidas, while making a detailed presentation in the inaugural session, said there were 40 million cases of HIV/AIDS estimated in the world. Around 14,000 new HIV infections were reported worldwide per day in 2005 and 92 percent HIV infections in the state were in the age group of 15-49 years, he added. Mr Kalidas also highlighted the factors, which were fuelling HIV/AIDS in Andhra Pradesh, including, large number of migrating population to the state, labourers going to Gulf en-route Mumbai among others. Expressing concern that awareness had not resulted in behavioural change, he emphasised that education on the disease was necessary for people from all walks of life. There are 677 HIV testing centres in the state, the release added. The Workshop, being attended by over 75 participants from various hospitals in-and-around Vizag, would deliberate on various topics like Anti-retroviral treatment of HIV, Toxicity of anti-retroviral drugs, overview of CD4 and HIV Viral Load Monitoring, among others. =============================================================== 2. Every fifth gay in Blore is HIV+ Deccan Herald, February 12, 2008. http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Feb122008/national2008021151752.asp Gay sex is on the rise in Bangalore and so its victims. More than 19 per cent of Bangalorean gay men are now carrying the deadly AIDS-causing virus. The Garden City has earned the dubious distinction of being the No 2 among the cities having high incidence of HIV infection among homosexual men. Pune is ahead of Bangalore. The rise in gay sex and subsequent HIV infection took place between 2004 and 2006, according to the 2006 HIV sentinel surveillance analysis carried out by the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare in Delhi and National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). While in 2004 only 10 per cent gay men in Bangalore had the virus, the figure rose to 11.6 per cent in 2005 and jumped to a whopping 19.2 per cent in 2006. The information has been collected from a sentinel site run by a non-governmental organisation called Jagruthi. The trend is similar in Pune where within two years HIV prevalence among homosexual men almost doubled. On the contrary, metropolitan cities like Mumbai and Chennai showed a declining trend in the same period. Other southern cities where gay sex is spreading HIV/AIDS include Villuppuram in Tamil Nadu, South Goa, Chennai and Puducherry. As many as four Kerala cities — Kannur, Kollam, Kasaragod and Ernakulam — are beginning to see this trend as more than 75 per cent of gay men attending clinics in these cities were found to be HIV positive. The national capital also illustrated the same pattern. In fact, north-east Delhi displayed the maximum HIV prevalence of 32.8 per cent among men having sex with men. West Delhi and north-west Delhi too exhibited similar trends. The HIV Sentinel Surveillance Survey 2006 is based on data collected from 1,122 sites, out of which 28 sites were exclusively for the gay. What is alarming is the fact that in 11 out of the 28 sites, HIV prevalence was more than five per cent, making it clear that unprotected gay sex is spreading the disease. A district-wise analysis in Karnataka showed high HIV prevalence in people — more than three per cent — among those attending Hassan district hospital, Belgaum district hospital and general hospital in Gokak. The State had 54 sentinel sites out of which 32 sites had more than one per cent prevalence. However, the State has achieved a big success in Dharwad where 6.25 per cent prevalence in Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences in Hubli and 7.25 per cent prevalence seen in the general hospital in Navalgund were brought down to one and 0.75 per cent respectively. =============================================================== 3. Gypsies have their own ideas about HIV/AIDS New Indian Express, February 13, 2008. http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IET20080212191739&Page=T&Title=Southern+News+-+Tamil+Nadu&Topic=0 VELLORE: Can you believe that bat's blood is a cure for AIDS? This is what narikuravas, the gypsies, here believe. Narikuravas have been neglected a lot when it comes to target intervention programmes on HIV/AIDS. Narikuravas believe that only men can be HIV-infected and it is curable. Most of them are confident that they will not be affected as they lead a 'disciplined life' and have a single partner. "Our food habits help us to fight the infection. We do not get infected as we eat all kinds of animals - cat, mongoose and parrot. It has strengthened our immune system to the optimum level," said Kumar, a narikurava residing at Anaicut, Walajapet. "We don't know about the means of transmission of the infection. But, we can easily find out if anyone is affected and can cure the infection within a short period," said Vellava, another narikurava. In fact, several narikuravas have been running their own herbal unit assuring quick remedies to various diseases, including HIV/AIDS. "I can easily detect HIV/AIDS infection by checking pulse and other external symptoms like black marks on the nails by using herbal medication. It can be cured within three to seven months if it is in the initial stage," said AK Sunder, a narikurava. He prescribes some herbal medication for his patients, which should be consumed with bat's blood. Dr T Siva Kumar, field publicity officer, Government of India, Velour said that he had come across such myths and misconceptions on HIV/AIDS during an awareness programme, organised for narikurava recently. Saurian Saul, project director, Tamil Nard State AIDS Control Society (TRANSACTS) said, "We have launched five special projects for specific groups in 12 districts, which have more tribal populations, in the State." =============================================================== 4. HIV AIDS Clinical Care Program for Nurses Patna Daily, February 13, 2008. http://www.patnadaily.com/news2008/feb/021308/clinical_care_program.html HIV AIDS Clinical Care Program for Nurses.Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with the Australia India Council under Indian Business Trust for HIV/AIDS organized a day-long clinical workshop at Hotel Maurya in Patna on Wednesday to spread awareness about the HIV/AIDS that affects over 2.5 million people in India. CII chairperson Satya Kumar Singh, in his address, said more than 6,800 new cases of AIDS are reported worldwide each day while 5,700 people across the globe die due to it, as reported by the UNAIDS. Dr. Diwakar Tejaswi, Medical Director, RATNEI, International Health Organization, in his speech, stressed the importance of proper technical training of paramedical staff in dealing with AIDS patients and other crucial issues related with HIV?AIDS. Christine Bowett Harris, Nurse Manager, Infectious Diseases Outpatients, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Alison Duncan and Vicki Greengrass, Clinical Research Lab, Burnet Institute also spoke on different issues involving medication counseling, adherence to ART, pregnancy, breastfeeding and psycho-social issues related with AIDS While Dr Tejaswi made the necessary Hindi translation for local nurses, Mr Rana Banerjee, State Head, Bihar State Office proposed a vote of thanks. =============================================================== 5. Red Ribbon Express Arrives at Patna Junction Patna Daily, February 13, 2008. http://www.patnadaily.com/news2008/feb/021308/red_ribbon_express_arrives.html The Red Ribbon Express, a special train launched to raise awareness about the cause and effects of AIDS, arrived at Patna Junction on Wednesday amidst a large crowd of people who had gathered there to see the train. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Ram Kripal Yadav received the train and talked about the need to learn about the deadly disease that has affected a large number of youths in India saying it was a great cause for concern since these youths were the future of the nation. Thousands of people stood in long lines to gain access inside the train that, using audio-visual aids, informed the people of the importance of safe sex and the effect of drug-injecting hypodermic syringes that have taken thousands of lives in the country. Spot HIV tests were also conducted on 40 visitors while AIDS experts provided answers to many questions related with AIDS and HIV. The train will remain stationed at Patna Junction till Thursday evening before leaving for Gaya, officials said. =============================================================== 6. AIDS/HIV affected celebrate St.Valentines Day in Chennai Thaindian.com, Februrary 14, 2008. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/aidshiv-affected-celebrate-stvalentines-day-in-chennai_10017548.html Chennai: Around 50 AIDS /HIV affected persons participated in a special function hosted here to mark St.Valentines Day on its eve on Wednesday. Also attending the function were transgenders from different parts of the city. Organised jointly by Tamil Nadar AIDS solidarity action and Action Aid India at Thiru V Ka Park at Chennais Shenay Nagar, the function was used to create public awareness about HIV/AIDS affected individuals and highlight fight social stigma faced by them. A heart decorated with 3,355 natural roses 10 ft tall and 10 ft of wide was displayed at the main gate of the park for visitors welcome. HIV affected people along with volunteers distributed roses and handouts to the general public. On the occasion, public was urged to understand the problems of the affected people. “The major challenge is the stigma and discrimination that isolates HIV positive people from society. Today, we wanted to emphasize our love, support and care for people living with HIV/AIDS,” said Hariharan, the organizer of this event. Saint Valentine’s Day embraces a time of year that is historically associated with love and fertility. It encompasses the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera in Ancient Athens and the Ancient Roman festival of Lupercus, the god of fertility. The first official Saint Valentine’s Day was declared on February 14 by Pope Galasius in 496, in memory of a 3rd century martyred priest in Rome. =============================================================== 7. Activists, HIV positive people want a law on AIDS Thaindian.com, Februrary 16, 2008. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/activists-hiv-positive-people-want-a-law-on-aids_10017950.html New Delhi: People who are HIV positive and activists working for them Friday demanded a separate law to prohibit any social or financial discrimination against those affected by the virus. “A bill prepared by activists, lawyers, Nationals AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and experts is still pending with the central government. Though the health ministry has accepted it, the law ministry has raised some concerns,” said Anand Grover, director of NGO Lawyers Collective (HIV/AIDS Unit). “We are ready to sit with the law ministry for 12 hours a day for clearing any doubt and thus helping formulate the bill in a proper format,” Grover told reporters. The bill in its current form has underlined provisions like right to equality, right to autonomy, right to privacy, health, right to safe working environment and right to information for all HIV positive people. “We want the bill to be tabled in parliament in the upcoming budget session. Once it becomes a law, tens of thousands of people will get justice. We don’t have conducive work environment and there is a lot of stigma attached in our society,” said Naresh Yadav of the Indian Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS. “We have collected over 20,000 signatures from people like me (HIV positive people) and want to request the government to think about us. We want to live with dignity,” he said. Last year, a HIV positive woman was forced to give birth to a baby outside a hospital as the doctors at the Meerut Medical College in Uttar Pradesh did not attend to the patient. The incident evoked widespread protest from both government authorities and civil society groups. UNAIDS India representative D. Brown said that HIV positive people have every right to live with dignity and every country should take steps to wipe out discrimination. Yadav said people affected by HIV face denial and discrimination in public and private institutions, health care settings, employment and educational services on the sole grounds of their health status. Rights of marginalized groups like sex workers, injecting drug users and men who have sex with men are often denied dignity, making them more vulnerable to HIV. In the absence of adequate laws, a statutory HIV law is required in India to protect the rights of these groups, activists demanded. =============================================================== Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in the above articles are those of the respective newspapers, not those of SAATHII.