India AIDS policy: Forcible testing opposed

[Guest guest]

Forcible testing for HIV opposed, Times of India, 24 July 2001

NEW DELHI: No person is to be tested for HIV without voluntary consent;

emphasizes the national AIDS control policy document, which has recently

been forwarded to the Union cabinet for approval.

The policy, laying stress on the human rights of those with AIDS, will

help streamline the functioning of various government and non-government

organizations working on the issue.

Although the broad framework of the policy is being implemented in most

places, project director of National AIDS Control Organization JVR Prasada

Rao says the policy, once finalized, will check institutions' deviations

from the broad concepts.

The policy lays down detailed guidelines on testing, counseling, as well

as protection of privacy and human rights of those living with AIDS.

The policy calls for a broader socio-economic approach to the issue

to check the spread of the epidemic. The policy, therefore seeks

involvement of ministries such as railways, heavy industry, steel,

coal and other public sector undertakings employing a large workforce.

Social sector ministries such as welfare, education, women, and child

should devise their own HIV/AIDS programmes within their sectoral

jurisdiction, it says. The document says a person should be counseled

adequately before revealing the HIV status. Issues of confidentiality

are crucial to the rights of those living with HIV.

The disclosure of HIV status of the person should not in any way affect

his rights to employment, position at the workplace and other fundamental

rights, it stresses. HIV positive women should have complete choice to

make decisions about pregnancy and child-birth. There should be no

forcible abortion or even sterilization. Proper counseling should

be given to pregnant women to enable her to decide whether to

continue or terminate the pregnancy. The policy rules out any

mandatory testing for HIV. " Considerable thought has been given

to the issue. The government feels there is no public health

rationale for mandatory testing of a person for HIV/AIDS. "

It encourages voluntary HIV testing with appropriate

pre- and post-test counseling.

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Forwarded by: Dr. Jagdish Harsh

François Xavier Bagnoud India Society

161, Satya Niketan, Moti Bagh-II,

New Delhi-110 021, INDIA.

Tel: +91.11.611 1793-94; Fax: +91.11.410 7381

Email: fxbindia@...; Web: http://www.fxb.org/india.htm