Proposal: May 7, World AIDS Orphans Day

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Many of you are already doing great work on various issues regarding HIV/AIDS in

India. In 2005, more than 60,000 children died of AIDS in India. Less than 4%

are receiving any antiretroviral therapy (ART), yet Indian government does not

have pediatric guidelines or effective strategy to address problems of OVC and

children living with HIV/AIDS.

There are many issues connected with care and treatment of children living with

HIV/AIDS and OVC including:

Lack of pediatric guidelines

Neglect on part of Indian government to make pediatric formulations available

through government programs funded by international institutions and

organizations

Lack of training health care providers in pediatric treatment

Law and policies to provide care of the OVC

Many of us have been raising our voices to address these issues. I propose that

we amplify our voices on World AIDS Orphan's Day to demand prompt attention of

the Indian government to address these issues and concerns. I feel that

collective voices may have more impact than individual voices.

I would be very interested to hear from organizations and individuals who are

open to exploring possibility of a joint petition, press release or/and letter

to NACO and relevant Indian government officials.

Solidarity,

Vineeta

Dr. Vineeta Gupta

Stop HIV/AIDS in India Initiative (SHAII)

e-mail: vineeta@...