Re: Armed forces: There is no pension for personnel living with HIV

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

The Indian armed forces have over 5000 cases of human immunodeficiency virus

(HIV) infection since 1990 and this was mentioned in the Parliament by the

Hon'ble Defence Minister himself.

While it has been said that there shall be no pension for defence personnel

living with HIV and in the same breath it is being said that they shall be

provided medical care, in terms of the costs will be met.

I would like to point out while tuberculosis is not taken to be a disease where

a person is retired without a pension then why should he be denied hiis basic

right provided under the constitution just because he is living with HIV.

What crime is he charged under for him to lose his pension. Is he not entitled

to take care of his family responsibilities. If this is not stigmatisation then

what is?

How can we expect a person to come out in the open and say please test me, I may

be HIV and I would like to live a life of health and dignity.

I think it is a very serious issue which needs to be debated before the Govt.

makes a legislation on that.

Winnie Singh

Chairperson, Maitri

e-mail: winnie.singh@...

Mobile: 0.981.013.2908

[Guest guest]

Re: Armed forces: There is no pension for personnel living with HIV

Dear FORUM,

Please understand that Armed forces(Min of Defence) are different than the other

Para miliatry Forces (Min of Home Affairs).

Containing HIV numbers to approx 5000 till date since 1990 in a floating

population of over 1 million with only about 400 odd devleping AIDS and only

abt 40 odd deaths recorded is indeed commendable.

The program in AF takes care of all the components of HIV prevention and care

to testing and treatment of AIDS and its acompanying ailments and complications.

While in service or out of service.

The individual continues to be retained in service once he is detected to be HIV

positive.. And provided with all the neccesary medicines under ART (which other

organisation does that in the country ?. Does yours ? ), hospitlaisation

included.

Yes,, maybe one of the factors is that due to the kind of stressfull life in the

armed forces.. The hiv positive do tend to go into AIDS at an early date than

the ones in civil life.. (although I pesronally think that even this hyposthesis

is likely to be proved untrue, if tested)

Once a HIV positive individual goes into complication like TB and into the AID

Syndrome. Yes he is boarded out of serivce. because of incapablty to be a useful

soldier further on to the servivce and not because he has committed a crime of

contacting HIV and thereby developing AIDS. However, he continues to be provided

ART and hospitalisation as reqyuired

And let me tell you, Armed Forces is a dynamic organisation at the

forefront and at the leading edge of all the aspects of HIV prevention, care and

treatment. HV/AIDS is still a evolving disease complex and therefore dynamic.

I am sure that armed Forces will not be lagging behind in changing their

policies. Provided there is compelling evidence to support it and the Government

policy is framed accordingly

The program in Armed Forces needs to appreciated in totality of its content and

extent. And replicated by other orgainsation. The vast pool of public health

specialists and other specialists available in the AF are its main strength and

pillars of the program..

Best regards

Dr HS Ratti

e-mail: <ratti2@...>