Publice hearing on HIV&AIDS in Bangalore

[Guest guest]

PUBLIC HEARING ON HIV & AIDS

As a part of the fourth and concluding day of the activities of the Global Week

of Action (GWA) in Bangalore, a Public Hearing on issues related to HIV & AIDS

was organized on May 23, 2006 by the Bangalore HIV & AIDS Forum. The Public

Hearing provided a platform for People Living with HIV & AIDS to voice their

problems and fears.

Jury Members

Dr. S.C.Dharwad, Joint Director, KSAPS

Advocate Geeta Devi, Practicing Lawyer, High Court

Ms. Sanghamitra Iyengar, Director, Samraksha (an NGO working on HIV & AIDS)

Father Kannanthanam, Director, Sumanahalli Society (an NGO working on HIV

& AIDS and Leprosy)

Moderator: Dr. Unnikrishnan PV, Emergencies and Human Security Advisor (Asia),

ActionAid International

KEY ISSUES EMERGING FROM TESTIMONIES

Violation and denial of rights cut across all eight testimonies dealt with

violation of rights. Denial of property rights particularly was highlighted

across several testimonies, with women being the worst affected after the death

of their spouse. Forced separation from children due to HIV status is reported

in two testimonies. Discrimination in health care settings is a gross

violation, which has affected the majority of the speakers. These include

refusal, delaying treatment, disclosure of status without consent and

discrimination by health care providers.

Access to quality, affordable treatment is still unavailable for the majority of

people living with HIV & AIDS. For one, the change of brand of Anti Retroviral

drugs has led to sever side effects to which health care providers are

indifferent, causing the individual to question the quality of ART. Many others

have reported similar side effects with this particular brand, evident from

responses from the audience. Many now wonder whether Art will lead to a better

life or a faster death.

Non-availability of treatment for OIs, different combinations to overcome side

effects and unaffordable cost of accessing the ART treatment ( which are

currently available in only three centers in Karnataka) are coming across

strongly in testimonies as well as from the audience. Prevention of Parent to

Child Transmission (PPTCT) services are not as widely available as necessary,

with deliveries being conducted in different centers.

Atrocities by law enforcement authorities who criminalize sex work and make it

difficult for any beneficial information and services to reach vulnerable groups

such as sex workers was highlighted. NGO workers are also being targeted by

local populations under the influence of the police. False accusations are not

uncommon. In other instances, police are unable to provide protection to

people living with HIV & AIDS while they have reported violence against them.

Perhaps the most unheard voices among people living with HIV & AIDS are those of

the children living with HIV & AIDS. One mother raised the issue of

non-availability of pediatric dosage forms locally, at affordable prices. The

Karnataka Government does not provide pediatric dosages in its ARV roll out

program. Also, second and third level regimens being extremely expensive means

that many children will go without medicine. Children are also being denied

property rights when their parents succumb to HIV.

INTERIM VERDICT FROM THE JURY

The jury members unanimously agreed that discrimination is a problem faced by

the majority of people living with HIV & AIDS.

Violation of Rights is due to the absence of an anti-discriminatory law in India

and Karnataka. Hence, this is an urgent need to uphold the rights under the

Constitution

Upholding the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

(CEDAW) Convention to which the India is a signatory

Proper coordinated efforts from all Ministries and departments in delivery of

services, policies and program for people living with HIV & AIDS

Accountability of the Private Health Sector through reforms and law, imposing

sanctions or withdrawing incentives

Awareness of HIV & AIDS related issues and law to be a part of Police training

curriculum, followed by periodic sensitization

Ensure accountability of officials and delivery systems through Monitoring

Committee comprising of members of civil society, NGOs and the Government

Communities must adopt the Rights Based Approach to check violations and assert

rights

HIV & AIDS treatment and care should be an integral part of every hospital KSAPS

to have a legal cell to support HIV related cases for expedite legal processes

involving people living with HIV & AIDS

Pediatric dosages to be made available in all ART centers immediately Family

discrimination to be addressed by society through Community Based Organizations.

People living with HIV & AIDS who can afford to pay for medical facilities must do

so. Equally, those who cannot afford treatment should have access to free and

quality medical facilities, provided by the Government Budget allocation for

health must increase, with greater allocation for HIV within the Health Budget

transparency and accountability within the Government sector is a real need, so

that money spent reaches the people who need it most

Sowbhagya Somanadhan

e-mail: sowsom@...

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Sowbhagya Somanadhan

HIV & AIDS Thematic Unit

ActionAid International - India

No.139, Richmond Road,

Bangalore - 560 025, India

Tel: +91-80-2558-6682 Ext.226

Mob: +91-98457-24004

Sowbhagya Somanadhan <sowsom@...>