TN politicos mum over HIV issue

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TN politicos mum over HIV issue

Rohini Mohan: Posted Sunday , May 07, 2006 at 09:18, Updated

Sunday , May 07, 2006 at 16:33

TIGHTLIPPED: No political party in TN, wants to talk about the

50,000 HIV affected cases in the state

Tamil Nadu: Political leaders in Tamil Nadu are mum on the HIV issue

of the state, which has the highest number of HIV positive people

living in it.

Jayalalitha's manifesto is all about showcasing her government's

successes but not a word was mentioned about the high prevalence of

HIV / AIDS in the state.

The elections campaigns are focusing on distributing free rice and

color T.V s to get their due share of votes whereas DMK party's

political leaders were seen swinging rice bags in the public draw

attention of the voters.

This high prevalence of HIV/AIDS has actually got almost everyone in

the district talking openly about it except the politicians.

Are they embarrassed? Ignorant? Or do they just not care?

According to the National AIDS Control Organisation in Oct. 2005,

there are 52,036 HIV/AIDS cases in Tamil Nadu, which is highest,

than any other state in India.

In Nammakkal, alone there are 9000 people living with HIV/ AIDS but

the political parties were probably too ashamed too talk about it

who took pride mentioning its poultry industry; zero garbage and ISO

14001 certification in their campaign.

The district is crumbling under the pressure of HIV infected people

living with no medical aid available to them.

" NACO has estimated that around 90000 people are living with HIV

here. Everybody in this district has at least one relative or close

friend who is living with HIV, " said an anti-Retroviral Treatment

doctor, at the Namakkal Govt Hospital.

Tamil Nadu government has been supporting an AIDS Control Society in

the state for the last many years, but the political parties did not

mention it anywhere in their in the campaign.

" If people talk about it, then only the issue can be addressed. But

the biggest issue is, getting them to talk about it " said an HIV

infected person working as a teacher in the state.

" They're afraid that it'll look like they're supporting immoral

people. Maybe they're afraid that someone will slap a case on them

like they did on actress Kushboo! " said HIV positive Jayanthi who is

a homemaker.

In yet another explosive speech everything from rice, gold,

education, to water issue was covered in one breath yet even a

single word was not mentioned about the HIV/AIDS related issues.

AIDS is a touchy issue now, but let's hope that after the elections,

political parties will be braver.

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