5th National Convention of Indian Network of NGOS on HIV/AIDS Concluded

[Guest guest]

National HIV/AIDS Convention Advocates Drug Access, Female Condom And

Calls For Stronger NGO-Government Co-Operation

5th National Convention of Indian Network of NGOs on HIV/AIDS

Over 102 participants representing Indian and International institutions

working on HIV/AIDS awareness and control concluded a three day

convention in Ahmedabad with recommendations that have major

implications on national and state policy. This was the 5th convention

of the Indian Network of NGOs working on HIV/AIDS (INN), hosted by the

Gujarat AIDS Awareness and Prevention (GAP) unit of ISRCDE. The

recommendations included the need to ensure access to drugs now

available in the Indian market for HIV/AIDS patients irrespective of

their purchasing capacity. Global efforts towards promoting a female

condom were discussed in the context of making this product available in

India very shortly. The introduction of new Topical Microbicides for

women’s health was another important aspect of the technical

discussions. Mirobicides which is another fighter tool in the battle

against HIV/AIDS was discussed and Ms. Gottemoeller from CHANGE

and Programme for Appropriate Technologies in Health (PATH) USA

presented a very informative paper on this subject. Clinical trials on

micorbicides are underway at five places in the world, including Pune,

she said. The need is to advocate for speedy trials so that

microbicides are available to consumers.

An important initiative emerging from the conference was the decision of

the Indian Network of NGOs working on HIV/AIDS (INN) to formulate a

policy paper that can strengthen action by both NGOs and Government in

this major national challenge.

In a dialogue between people living with HIV/AIDS and pharmaceutical

companies, participants heard of the experience in Brazil where NGO

pressure forced the national government to offer free distribution of

drugs to HIV + ve patients who could otherwise not afford them. While

noting remarkable progress in the Indian drug industry towards making

new medical products available in India, it was clear from the

discussion that these drugs are still within the reach of only the more

affluent, although being well below the international price levels. The

recommendation emerged in treating HIV/AIDS in line with facilities now

offered through government hospitals for TB and Cancer control. India’s

manufacturing cost advantage may soon be lost when the TRIPPS patent

regime comes into force in 2005. INN resolved to work immediately

towards insuring adequate drug access to all sections of the Indian

Society.

A representative from CIPLA (Mumbai) spoke of his company’s offer to the

Government of South Africa which has received international attention.

It includes a package of triple therapy drugs available at a cost of $

350 a year per patient is being distributed through qualified NGOs and

Govt. subsidy schemes. CIPLA indicated its willingness to provide a

similar package in India, provided that drug delivery could be matched

with follow up. Zydus Cadila spoke of the immediate need for Government

action to remove the excise and customs burden from indigenous

manufacturing and sale of the essential anti-HIV drugs as has been in

the case of TB and Cancer. The CERC (Ahmedabad) and Lawyers Collective

(New Delhi) offered its resources towards protecting Indian Consumer

interests in the HIV/AIDS sector.

The major implications of the female condom were discussed following a

presentation by the Female Health Company represented by Mr.

Warren. Combined with the male condom and other protective devises, the

female condom provided people with choices and suggests a major

development towards women’s ability to take control of their sexual and

reproductive health. Experience with the marketing of male condoms

through social and commercial channels was represented by Ms. Carol

Squire of Population Services International ( PSI ) New Delhi.

UNAIDS South East Asia regional office and Indian Instiute of Health

Management & Research demonstrated information systems that can be

accessed and used by NGOs to strengthen their knowledge and

interventions. INN has decided to organize a website with UNAIDS

assistance.

The importance of a strong base of social science research in the

sector dealing with sensitive issues of individual and community

behaviour was analysed by participants and Ms. Dipa Nag Chowdhury of Mac

Arthur Foundation New Delhi. It reflected the social and political

implications of NGO activity in HIV/AIDS.

Discussions at the conference revealed the urgent ned for a stronger and

more effective policy framework by Central and State Governments as

well as for more effective co-operation between government and non

government institutions. While welcoming the broad outlines of the

National AIDS Control Organizations (NACO) Phase II toward

decentralization, experience in the field indicated that with some

exceptions governments were still uncomfortable in dealing with NGOs as

equal partners. Significantly both NACO and the Gujarat State AIDS

Control Society did not attend the 3 day deliberations which were

inaugurated by State Governor Shri Sundar Singh Bhandari. In his opening

address Shri Ashok Bhatt (Chairman - Voluntary organizations Govt. of

Gujarat) called for a return to traditional values in the fight against

HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Radium Bhattacharya

E-mail <radium@...>