********************************************************** SAATHII Electronic Newsletter HIV NEWS FROM INDIA SOURCE: www.daijiworld.com, www.ehealthonline.org, www.gujaratglobal.com, www.expresspharmaonline.com, Daily News & Analysis, The Hindu, The NewsPost India, Indian Catholic. Posted on: 26/10/2007 COMPILED BY: Randhir Kumar, 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. Mangalore: Convention on Rights of HIV- Infected from Jan 23 (Mangalore) www.daijiworld.com, October 23, 2007. http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=39368&n_tit=M%92lore%3A+Convention+on+Rights+of+HIV-+Infected+from+Jan+23 2. NACO launches Mobile AIDS counseling centre in Nagaland (New Delhi) www.ehealthonline.org, October 24, 2007 http://www.ehealthonline.org/news/viewincreement.asp?newsid=11728 3. A race across India (Ahmedabad) www.gujaratglobal.com, October 24, 2007. http://www.gujaratglobal.com/nextSub.php?id=3369&catype=Science%20Scope 4. Anti Retrovirals Market the battle continues (Mumbai) www.expresspharmaonline.com, October 25, 2007. http://www.expresspharmaonline.com/20071031/market01.shtml 5. Awareness of condoms high among Indians: UN report (New Delhi) Daily News & Analysis, October 25, 2007. http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1129760 6. Tamil Nadu removed from list of HIV high prevalence States (Chennai) The Hindu, October 25, 2007. http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/24/stories/2007102461171200.htm 7. AIDS Spreading Fast In Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal) The NEWSPost India, October 26, 2007. http://newspostindia.com/report-20421 8. Catholic Health Association takes on HIV/AIDS threat in India (Hyderabad) Indian Catholic, October 26, 2007. http://www.theindiancatholic.com/report.asp?nid=8907 =============================================================== 1. Mangalore: Convention on Rights of HIV- Infected from Jan 23 (Mangalore) www.daijiworld.com, October 23, 2007. http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=39368&n_tit=M%92lore%3A+Convention+on+Rights+of+HIV-+Infected+from+Jan+23 Mangalore: Mangalore: Convention on Rights of HIV- Infected from Jan 23 A national convention on the Health and Rights of the HIV- Affected people will be organized by the Karavali Positive Women and Child Network (KPWCN) at Shobavana, Moodbidri near here, on January 23 and January 24, 2008. The KPWN is a city-based non government body of HIV- infected people that works for the welfare of people with AIDS and HIV in association with other institutes. According to a press release, the main objective of this two day convention is to create an ambiance of poise among the people infected with AIDS/HIV virus which will enable them to be able to participate actively in the mainstream society activities. The other objective is to urge the government to create employment opportunities like self-employment schemes for HIV positives, inform people on the latest research and developments related to the disease at international level, informed the release. =============================================================== 2. NACO launches Mobile AIDS counseling centre in Nagaland (New Delhi) www.ehealthonline.org, October 24, 2007 http://www.ehealthonline.org/news/viewincreement.asp?newsid=11728 New Delhi: NACO launches Mobile AIDS counseling centre in Nagaland The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) has launched Mobile Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) in Nagaland (India) in collaboration with the state AIDS control (NSACS). A mobile ICTC will provide ante-natal check up, counselling and testing services, syndromes management of sexually transmitted infections (STI) cases, treatment of minor ailments besides, health education services at the remote areas of state. NACO has sanctioned to set up five Mobile ICTCs this year. As part of the Phase 1 of the project two Mobile ICTCs have been launched for Tuensang and Mon districts in the state. NACO is also supplying TV and DVD players to ICTCs in order to extend Information Education and Communication services to the people. =============================================================== 3. A race across India (Ahmedabad) www.gujaratglobal.com, October 24, 2007. http://www.gujaratglobal.com/nextSub.php?id=3369&catype=Science%20Scope Ahmedabad: A race across India India is all set to witness the finals of "INDIA in 96 hours, a Race Across India"- a unique national event, an initiative of CII – Young Indians (Yi) Net student community. 20 students' teams of 2 each, finalists of the elimination rounds held in 10 cities (Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, Coimbatore, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata) to culminate in the Grand Finale on the beaches of Goa will battle it out in a series of physical & mental challenges to be held across the nation in 4 days. While students from colleges participated in the eliminations, the finalists will have a mix of students from 35 educational institutions nationally. It will start on Oct 26 from Delhi. The finalists will wind their way through Kolkata to Madras onto Pondicherry to Bangalore to culminate in a Grand Finale on the beaches of Goa on October 29. A grand carnival will be held on October 29 at the finishing line in Goa. The race will be immediately followed by a 2 day Yi Net National Summit focused on leadership development on the theme "BE THE CHANGE". An HIV/AIDS awareness workshop is also being conducted for the students by the Wockhardt - Harvard AIDS Research Foundation. Over 300 Students from 10 cities will participate. "India in 96 hours", will not only test the athletic skills of the participants but also their mental skills, determination and physical strength. Speed, skills, creativity, strategy, leadership and talent will vie with each other as the 20x2 finalists teams will make their way across the country using all available modes of transport from airlines to bullock carts, as the need demands. The final teams were selected using a rigorous, standardized elimination process across 10 cities where students faced a series of physical and mental challenges over a day long race spread over their respective cities. =============================================================== 4. Anti Retrovirals Market the battle continues (Mumbai) www.expresspharmaonline.com, October 25, 2007. http://www.expresspharmaonline.com/20071031/market01.shtml Mumbai: Anti Retrovirals Market the battle continues A growing infection India has entered a critical period in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The spread of the virus appears to be stable or diminishing in some parts of the country, while growing at modest rates in others. In terms of numbers, approximately six million people are suffering from AIDS in India, According to other estimates, 40 million people are HIV positive and 25 million people have died from AIDS. After India's first case of HIV was detected in 1986, HIV rates first soared among drug users and prostitutes before becoming visible in other sections of the population. In Mumbai, home to one of the world's largest commercial sex districts, the infection rate hit 64 percent by the late 1990s. Since then HIV infection has been reported in all States and Union Territories. As per Avert, an international AIDS charity, around 0.36 percent of India's population is living with HIV. While this may seem a low percentage, India's population is vast, so the actual number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) is remarkably high. To add to it, as there is no proper screening of patients there may be a sizeable number dying without even getting diagnosed. Market scenario The large number of HIV infected people translates into a Rs 95 crore market for anti retrovirals (ARVs), with a growth rate of 9.86 percent (as per IMS MAT figures). This is the only class of drugs capable of slowing down the virus. According to a report by Market Research Company, the ARV market is expected to increase from $7.1 billion in 2005 to $10.6 billion by 2015, as new ARVs are launched and the number of HIV-positive people increases. Eleven years after India's first HIV case was detected, access to treatment and care has greatly increased. Two million people per year receive medication and care via international and local support groups and NGOs. If access to medication and care has improved, why is the disease still out of control? According to Amar Lulla, Managing Director, Cipla, this is because there is an increased resistance to the first line therapy of drugs. "Hence there is a requirement for the second line therapy or a protease inhibitor or a different combination therapy, " says Lulla. This makes the treatment more expensive as most ARVs are highly priced. Therefore treatment in regions where HIV has reached epidemic levels is funded by two major funding agencies. Mainly, named as PEPFAR, (President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, is a five-year, $15 billion US Government initiative to combat the global HIV/AIDS epidemic), and Global Funds (created to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and to direct those resources to areas of greatest need. A partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities, the Global Fund represents an innovative approach to international health financing). Besides, the disease is most prevalent among those who can least afford it. "The ARV segment is a low-end market, as the people who are affected are usually from lower social strata, and a low-income group therefore they need help, which only the state can provide", feels Lulla. To make matters worse, the treatment has to be continued for an extended period and resistance increases if the medication is taken in fits and starts. Aloka Sengupta, Vice-President, (AIDS, TB, Malaria segment), Strides Arcolabs, lists two other problems: grossly delayed payment with poor and non- existent margins. India is better off compared to other countries, as the country's vibrant domestic pharma industry plays an important role in the fight against the disease by providing ARV drugs at low cost to the government. Access and availability The availability of HIV/AIDS drugs, like others, depends upon at least three main factors—sustainable financing for drug procurement at the national level, national and local health infrastructure for delivering drugs and monitoring patient compliance and affordable drug prices. India and Brazil are the world's two major ARV producers. As ARVs date back to the pre-TRIPS era, there are no restrictions on manufacturing copycat versions of these drugs. As a consequence of this, ARVs are on average 80 percent cheaper in countries like India, than in countries which recognised patents. Hence, "Availability of drugs is not an issue in India anymore, it's the price that is the major problem," says Ashwin Thacker, Chairman and Managing Director, Flamingo Pharmaceuticals. Policy moves Many developing countries are exploring the possibility of dealing with policies related to drug sales and intellectual property rights (IPRs) within the legal framework of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Governments have another tactic against patent-protected drugs: compulsory licensing. South Africa has taken a lead on this issue. However Indian AIDS NGOs, community groups and policy makers have yet to take steps to facilitate local production of essential anti-HIV medication in India. The government of India has not issued any compulsory licenses. The WHO and UNAIDS have just completed a review of the patent rights on 24 drugs of interest to people with HIV infection. Drugs in this list can be manufactured under the compulsory licensing provision. Innovator pharma companies should continue to compete with generic manufacturers in market. "To guarantee that this competition will remain possible. It is essential that the provision on compulsory licensing in the TRIPS agreement be preserved and enshrined in national law, in particular in developing country markets where patents for HIV pharmaceuticals/medication will be requested and HIV is a significant problem," opines T Vijayakumar, Senior Manger, Export Formulations, Aurobindo Pharma. As making drugs affordable to those who need them is a formidable challenge, governments must ensure sufficient financing for procurement and adequate health system capacity to support care for people with HIV/AIDS. Market restraints The problems in distribution of ARV drugs to various treatment centres include hurdles such as check points, road permits, lack of communication between the procurement agency and the treatment centre. The Indian regulatory and patent uncertainties further constrain development of generic and bio generic drugs in developed countries. "With end users of prescription drugs seeking to pay less for medication, generic and biogenerics are poised for strong growth, especially in developing nations," informs Vijayakumar. Indian drug manufacturers are adept at re-engineering drugs, thanks to the previous process patent regime, but under this system, there was no focus on the quality of the final product. Today, these same manufacturers have to meet global quality norms and need to upgrade their production and quality systems accordingly. "Several Asian generics producers have faced similar difficulties and one recent example is the removal of two generic HIV drugs produced by a prominent Indian pharma company from the WHO list of approved medications meant specifically for patients in Africa", informs Vijayakumar. Though generic and biogeneric drugs are emerging as strong contenders to branded medications, a number of consumers in developed nations have a perception that branded products are more effective than unbranded ones. Certain patient popu-lations tend to view healthcare benefits as entitlements rather than privileges and resist shifting from more expensive to less expensive options. Even when they are compelled to switch drugs, they shift from one brand to another, popularly known as a 'brand name shift', despite the availability of low-cost generics. This is one challenge that generic drug manufacturers are likely to find hard to overcome in their quest to extend market reach. At the same time, as more people are becoming resistant to first line therapies, the demand for the second line treatment is increasing, which is more expensive than the first line therapy. This is a huge hurdle. And ARV drugs are still not accessible to vast majority of Indian PLHAs. "The price of ARV drugs in India is Rs 14,400 per annum, which is about 120 percent more than the price the Clinton Foundation is procuring it at," says Thacker. "Therefore government intervention in pricing is required," he adds. Fight HIV with greater awareness In many regions of the world, new HIV infections are heavily concentrated among young people. Health experts have observed the same trend in India as well, where the incidence of infection in adolescents is said to be rising steadily. What is worrying is that even though India has the largest number of infections in Asia, governments continue to shy away from incorporating sex education in school curricula. As per an IPS report, as many as 11 of India's 29 state governments have either banned or are in the process of dropping sex education from school curricula. "In India everything takes a political colour. Sex education, which is needed, has now taken a back seat because there are some people who believe that sex education means promiscuity," informs Lulla. Overall, though, sex education is scant, while young people receive an ever-increasing diet of sexual innuendo through TV channels and movies. Educating people about HIV/AIDS and how it can be prevented is complicated in India, as a number of major languages and hundreds of different dialects are spoken within its population. This means that, although some HIV/AIDS prevention and education can be done at the national level, many of the efforts have to be carried out at the state and local level. Each state has its own AIDS Prevention and Control Society, which carries out local initiatives with guidance from National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). Under the second stage of the government's National AIDS Control Programme, which finished in March 2006, state AIDS control societies were granted funding for youth campaigns, blood safety checks, and HIV testing among other things. Various public platforms were used to raise awareness of the epidemic—concerts, radio dramas, a voluntary blood donation day and TV spots with a popular Indian film-star. Messages were also conveyed to young people through schools. Teachers and peer educators were trained to teach about the subject, and students were educated through active learning sessions, including debates and role-playing. Hospital staff and health professionals, much like the rest of the Indian population, are often unaware of the facts about HIV. This leads to unnecessary fears and, in some cases, causes them to stigmatise HIV positive people and discriminate against them, including testing them without consent. Laws should ensure that privacy of an individual is maintained when diagnosis is complete. Awareness campaigns need to be widespread and communicable. Now it is the state that has to intervene and see that those patients need to be helped in terms of drugs. People have to be counseled on how to handle social issues related to HIV. The treatment is expensive unless they are told that there are free drugs, which are being distributed by NACO. "The government is doing its bit but I think they need to speed up and give it more depth," feels Lulla. "Doctors have to be educated as they are mostly unclear on how handle the patients and what are the treatments and the medicines," he adds. Opportunities The global emergence and resurgence of epidemics such as AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria is expected to translate into a $2 billion opportunity for Indian generic players, particularly early movers such as Cipla, Aurobindo and Lupin. The average available global funding per annum is slated to be around $4 billion over the next four years (2006-10), with the generic opportunity pegged around an equivalent amount. Assuming Indian companies will capture 50 percent market share, it will translate into a $2 billion opportunity for Indian firms. This is in comparison to the $5 billion domestic formulation market annually, according to a report by Edelweiss, a financial services company based in Mumbai. The fact that more people are becoming resistant to first line therapy also translates into an opportunity. This creates the need for newer, innovative and more effective therapies. Research indicates that patients are developing resistance to more than one class of drugs that are in general use. There is an increased level of drug resistance even in drug-naive patients. Estimates show that up to 78 percent of patients are now failing to respond to ARVs. In 1999, an eight percent hike in resistance was recorded in treatment-naive individuals and the figure has alarmingly risen to 20 percent. "This can lead to a condition where patients are less likely to reach suppressed levels of HIV due to undet-ectable levels when they start treatment," says Vijayakumar. Therefore these older generation drugs are being replaced by products with lower pill burdens, enhanced potency and reduced side effects. Hence, compounds that are effective against multi-drug resistant strains currently dominate the clinical development scene and are likely to drive the future growth of this industry. "These opportunities can be doubled if the existing ARV suppliers are able to balance their prices such that the common man can afford them," adds Vijayakumar. =============================================================== 5. Awareness of condoms high among Indians: UN report (New Delhi) Daily News & Analysis, October 25, 2007. http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1129760 New Delhi: Awareness of condoms high among Indians: UN report A new UN study found that 95% of Indian males believe condoms can prevent spread of disease and 70% of women know where to get them. After three years of awareness campaigns, jointly organised by UNAIDS and the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), a report released on Wednesday revealed "dramatic results in key areas of reproductive health knowledge, HIV awareness and sexual rights". The campaign, nicknamed 'CHARCA', has its focus on six high-prevalence districts of Aizwal, Bellary, Guntur, Kanpur, Udaipur, and Kishanganj. The incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) across the districts is down from 55% to 17%. Only 5% of women in Guntur, 6% in Kanpur, and 8%in Kishanganj were willing to accept husbands with extra-marital relations. The study also found that the percentage of young women aware of where to get male condoms has increased. Across all districts, the belief that condoms protect against HIV/AIDS has increased from 65% to 95% among all men, the report said. Awareness of single-partner sex as a preventive measure against STIs increased to 76% across districts. =============================================================== 6. Tamil Nadu removed from list of HIV high prevalence States (Chennai) The Hindu, October 25, 2007. http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/24/stories/2007102461171200.htm Chennai: Tamil Nadu removed from list of HIV high prevalence States Apart from indicating overall performance in development indicators for the State, the latest round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) has also yanked Tamil Nadu off the list of HIV high prevalence States in India. While reporting lower HIV prevalence rates overall, the NFHS has also put the prevalence rate in Tamil Nadu at 0.375 per cent, much lower than the National AIDS Control Organisation standard to qualify as a high prevalence State (over 1 per cent among ante natal women). This takes Tamil Nadu off its long-held position as one of the six high prevalence States with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Nagaland. Awareness Simultaneously, it has also indicated greater awareness about HIV/AIDS among the 15- 49 years age group. While the figure is 98 per cent for men, the corresponding statistic for women is 94 per cent, a far cry from the abysmal 23 per cent recorded during the first NFHS in 1992-93. Expectedly urban areas show better awareness than rural centres. Among other good news for Tamil Nadu is lower infant mortality (IMR) and total fertility rates. IMR, or the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births, has dropped from 68 during the first NFHS to 31 in the current survey. This is a further climb down from the NFHS-2 (1998-99) statistic of 48 per 1000 live births. The IMR has reached an all-time low of 23 in urban areas. Experts point to the link between low IMR and an increase in institutional deliveries. According to NFHS-3, 90 per cent of all deliveries in Tamil Nadu are conducted in institutions. While the percentage of institutional deliveries has always been in the nineties range, in urban centres, it has climbed to the highest ever at 95 per cent. Significantly, in the rural areas as well, 87 per cent of deliveries are conducted in institutions. Good coverage of ante natal care too has been recorded. Fertility rate The total fertility rate has dropped to 1.8 and contraceptive use has gone up to 61 per cent among married women. The surprise component is that use of contraceptives is higher in rural areas (62 per cent) as against the urban centres (61 per cent). The trends in vaccination coverage, however, provide the sobering effect, emerging as areas of concern. According to NFHS-3, the overall coverage of children between 12 and 23 months (those who have received all recommended vaccines), has dropped from 89 per cent during NFHS-2 to 81 per cent. In urban areas, it has dropped from 97 per cent (NFHS-2) to 78 per cent (NFHS-3) and once again, the rural areas have performed better, dropping only one percentage point to stop at 84 per cent coverage. Again, while the percentage of underweight and stunted children has gone down to 33 per cent and 25 per cent respectively, the corresponding figure for children too thin for height has climbed up to 22 per cent from 20 per cent, indicating that intervention in this area has to be stepped up. 6,344 households interviewed The NFHS provides information on population, health and nutrition in India and in each of its 28 States and one capital territory (Delhi). It is based on a sample of households, which is representative at the national and State levels. In Tamil Nadu, over 6,344 households were interviewed, 5919 of the interviewees being women. Fieldwork for Tamil Nadu was conducted form April to July 2006 by the Gandhigram Institute of Rural Health and Family Welfare Trust, Tamil Nadu. =============================================================== 7. AIDS Spreading Fast In Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal) The NEWSPost India, October 26, 2007. http://newspostindia.com/report-20421 Bhopal: AIDS Spreading Fast In Madhya Pradesh The AIDS epidemic is spreading fast in the sprawling central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh where on an average more than one patient of the disease is found every day. While the Madhya Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (MPSACS) identified 359 AIDS patients in 2005 and 350 in 2006, 369 cases were found in just the first eight months this year. This is apart from the approximately 11,000 HIV-positive people in the state, according to an MPSACS estimate. In August alone, the number of patients in the state found to be infected with the disease was 45 while 38 cases were detected in July. Madhya Pradesh had only one identified AIDS patient in 1988. By August this year, the figure had gone up to 2,381. Figures compiled by MPSACS show that 91.7 percent of the patients in Madhya Pradesh acquire the virus through sexual transmission, two percent through blood transfusion, 1.8 percent through prenatal transmission, two percent through infected injections and 2.5 percent due to unknown reasons. District-wise, the state's commercial capital Indore takes the lead with 564 AIDS cases since the authorities started compiling records, while the temple town Ujjain is next with 351 patients. Then come Jabalpur with 116 cases, Gwalior with 115, Dewas with 109 and Burhanpur with 81. A doctor from a private nursing home told IANS: 'What is more worrying is that AIDS is no longer confined to urban areas. I have patients from villages, even remote hamlets, where the disease has spread due to lack of awareness.' The doctor said she had come across AIDS patients from small towns like Khandwa, Khargone, Badwani and Shajapur. Prashant Malaiya, MPSACS deputy director, said: 'This is just the tip of an iceberg. Several cases, mainly from rural areas, go unreported in the state.' NGOs working in Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Rewa, Bhopal, Gwalior, Sagar, Hoshangabad and Morena claim the number of AIDS patients in these districts is far higher than the official figures. Separate surveys across the state conducted by NGOs found a high prevalence of the disease among rag-pickers, children working in roadside eateries (dhabas) between the ages of five and 18, and truck drivers. A film called 'AIDS - Red Alert' by Rachana Johari on the disease in urban areas showed that though 60 percent of youngsters surveyed were sexually active, they were unaware or not ready to listen to anything about prevention of HIV/AIDS. Her film, though fictionalised, is supported by research. Various surveys have pointed out that people between the age of 31 and 40 constitute the largest segment of AIDS patients. Those in the 21-30 age group are also at high risk. In Madhya Pradesh, 72 percent of AIDS patients are men. MPSACS is planning to educate all public representatives about the disease. MPSACS director Saleena Singh told IANS: 'We have prepared an action plan as part of which all legislators, members of district Panchayats and Janpad Panchayats will be sensitised to further the cause of AIDS awareness and preventive measures among the masses.' The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) says there were 124,995 AIDS patients in India on Aug 31, 2006. The number of HIV-positive people in the country is estimated to be around 2.5 million. =============================================================== 8. Catholic Health Association takes on HIV/AIDS threat in India (Hyderabad) Indian Catholic, October 26, 2007. http://www.theindiancatholic.com/report.asp?nid=8907 Hyderabad: Catholic Health Association takes on HIV/AIDS threat in India The Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI) has devised various ways to tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has begun to spread to rural areas. "Unless vigorous and timely action is taken, India runs the risk of experiencing the devastating social and economic impact of a full-blown AIDS epidemic," warns CHAI director Father Sebastian Ouseparambil. The priest spoke with UCA News on Oct. 19, the concluding day of CHAI's 64th annual general-body meeting, held at its headquarters in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh state, 1,500 kilometers south of New Delhi. With more than 3,000 members, CHAI is the largest network of Catholic healthcare institutions in India. The two-day meeting identified AIDS as the biggest health-care threat facing India, since it is spreading among women and youth in villages. To counter the growing threat, CHAI began training counselors in 2006. The training program comprises a seven-day basic course followed by one month of experience at a care and support center (CSC) and then a 14-day intensive course. So far, 128 people have gone through the training. Across the country CHAI supports 21 CSCs that provide community-based and home care for infected people. It also conducts awareness programs using mass media, role-playing, drama, puppetry and visual aids. Most participants in these programs are local government officials and village council members. The association distributes relevant materials and imparts sex and hygiene education for kindergarten teachers, and high school and college students, to help them prevent sexually transmitted diseases. CHAI has also supported 12 micro-projects in three states for one-year community interventions related to HIV/AIDS. Andhra Pradesh has the country's highest number of people infected with the human immunodeficicency virus (HIV), which usually leads to AIDS. Here CHAI has adopted 46 villages through CSCs to provide medical, psychological, referral, educational, awareness and networking services. The association chose the villages on the basis of their HIV/AIDS prevalence rates. In collaboration with the state's AIDS Control Society and others, CHAI also has undertaken a project to improve 266 primary health centers in 10 districts. Meanwhile, the association has recruited district-level HIV/AIDS management teams for the government. It trained more than 500 medical personnel in the past year. CHAI now plans to provide intensive training to counselors across the country and equip them with professional skills to provide quality services to people living with HIV. It will also train community health workers and HIV-infected people as counselors. CHAI intends to support 12 regional units and member institutions to train counselors, nurse-nuns and NGOs in HIV/AIDS care and management. Other plans include conducting awareness programs for Christian leaders and NGOs to make them more sensitive to HIV/AIDS, and publishing a directory of centers providing services related to HIV/AIDS. Father Ouseparambil insists AIDS must be "urgently" tackled or else the country's progress will be nullified. The disease cannot be stopped outright, he acknowledged, "but the speed of the spread can be checked by a systematic campaign." Father Alex Vadakumthala, secretary of the health commission of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, also justified the Church's focus. The reason is that HIV/AIDS is incurable "and early intervention is necessary for its check, and not because money is available for AIDS projects," he told UCA News. Earlier, he told the CHAI meeting that his commission supports 45 CSCs in five states. Cardinal-elect Oswald Gracias of Bombay opened the meeting in his first official function after being chosen for the red hat. He told the meeting that HIV/AIDS offers Church workers a healing and reconciling ministry, because millions of its victims are socially ostracized and denied basic facilities. He urged CHAI to make a difference in the country's health scenario by taking this ministry as a call and a challenge. Archbishop Marampudi Joji of Hyderabad noted that CHAI has been engaged in community health care for six decades. He lauded the association for adopting policies suitable to changing times and situations, and meant for the poor and the needy. In the keynote address, Bishop Yvon Ambroise of Tuticorin called for a paradigm shift in the Church's health policy toward a global and holistic perspective. The prelate wants the Church to empower people to take care of their health needs. =============================================================== Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in the above articles are those of the respective newspapers, not those of SAATHII.