Mandatory Testing of Truck Drivers

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum members,

I totally agree with Meenatai.

Mandatory Testing of Truck Drivers should be opposed jointly

by all NGOs and not only UNAIDS and Naco. I urge all NGOs

to be prepared to take on this subject with government if

the situation demands so.

Regards,

Goda,

for Udaan, Maharashtra

E-mail:<udaanpanchis@...>

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[Guest guest]

Dear List members,

I see this as a regression of the state into the bad

and coercive policies that it has always done the

moment its failures due to its own bad policy or

implimentation comes to light. The case of the classic

deflection on the scapegoat.

The NACO policies for whatever reasons have been

progressive. They have taken a human rights approach

to the whole HIV/AIDS prevention/control campaign. But

the fact is that the state sat on its ass and did

precious little to aid and promote the grandoise

policies that it itself had formulated.

Then sadly we also have a National AIDS Control

Organisation (NACO) whose functionaries lack gall at

every level.

Therefore they can neither stand up to defend

those who follow their policy [aka Lucknow and the

bharosa incidence] nor can they stand up when someone

flouts their policy [as is happening now with

mandatory testing of truck drivers].

I some time wonder why good public money should be

spend on having such a agency whose existence seems

to be only for free rides to international conferences

to make big fart claims that they never can or desire

to defend and uphold on the ground in the first palce.

Therefore all the benevolent intentions and policies

of NACO aside, the scapegoatism has started. It was

with sex workers, now it is with truck drivers, and I

see sexual minorities, and any other possible and

identifiable scapegoat being brought into the purview

very soon. This is the only way the state can deflect

from the catastrophe of HIV/AIDS that they have

created for themselves by their pathetic inaction and

sloth. And I also see Naco and the state SACS standing

by and being a mute spectators in this farce all over

again.

The only way is to give it back to them. To take the

onus of action in our own hands and tell the state to

get lost when it comes to their violating a right of

ours that is so intimate and private that the state

cannot tread on that turf. Unless we all unite against

these extreme policies and take a firm stand, no

amount of advocacy with NACO or the state SACS is

going to get us anywhere. They are bureaucrats who

shall always be the polititians pretty stooge. The

only other language they understand is that of the

public's outrage. And the time to demonstrate that

outrage is HERE AND NOW.

Regards

Aditya

Aditya Bondyopadhyay

E-mail: <adit_bond@...>

_________________________________

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum Members,

It would be pointless in my opinion for me (and possible all of us) to voice

again and again, as Ashok and Meena have already, our opinions on the

regressive and misinformed decision of the government in relation to

mandatory testing of truckers. It would be preaching to the converted. We

all would feel the same way once a few forum members have responded. And

rehash what is said again and again. And those who read the discussion

(forum members) probably don't need convincing. Point is there is no debate

on this point unless UNAIDS, NACO etc have something we don't know that they

might want to share with us that has informed this turn around from stated

government testing policy and ethical and human rights best practice.

Maybe the forum might coordinate an email campaign against this dangerous

policy. Or forum members might campaign localy against this in association

with trucking companies, transporters and transport workers associations,

project management units, donors, NGOs, SACS and the like.

Sincerely,

Dr. ph Chandy,

HIV/AIDS Advisor, Save the Children US, Kathmandu, Nepal.

jchandy@...