NGO forces children into HIV test

[Guest guest]

NGO forces children into HIV test

Kishalay Bhattacharjee

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 (Guwahati)

In a shocking case of violation of Child's Rights, an NGO forces

children to test for HIV in Manipur.

The incident took place during the winter vacations of the children

in Imphal's Mahabali area.

A group of volunteers from Centre for Research and Social

Development, an NGO working with the AIDS-affected, landed up and

took away nine children to the nearby government hospital to test for

HIV infection.

''We were playing. They took us to the hospital saying it's a medical

check-up. And they gave us Rs 100 when the check up was done,'' said

a child.

The residents beat up the volunteers and the police had to be called.

The testing of HIV is voluntary and in the case of minors, parental

consent in mandatory.

''The volunteers came and took the children away without even asking

for our permission. The kids were playing. We don't want this to

happen in the future,'' said Danmei, Guardian of Child.

Manipur has one of the highest incidents of HIV cases in the country.

It also has countless NGOs working in the area. Crores of rupees are

at stake.

Often in the rush to show numbers, many NGOs pick up whoever is in

sight mainly around cities. The interior parts are neglected.

''Despite instructions some of our volunteers don't follow rules. For

this incident we are sorry and this will never happen again,'' said

AK Kerani from Centre for Research and Social Development.

''We don't want this to happen in the future for NGOs its really bad

news. We have to be more careful. It's a violation of rights,'' said

Ratan, Manipur Network for Positive People.

And did the hospital check if the children had parental consent?

''Children are generally brought by NGOs and the NGOs are all

registered when these children were brought we assumed that they had

the consent,'' said Suryapriya Counsellor, RIMS.

There is of course some good work being done by NGOs here. But to be

first off the block with statistics, some take the short cut

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?

id=NEWEN20080038633 & ch=1/17/2008%208:48:00%20AM

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

The incident took place in Manipur is not fair and we cannot simply

excuse them for their Reason 0f " some volunteers are not following

the rules " .

We wish to know what are the steps taken after this incident by

Center for Research and social development:

1.whether they provided proper training to their volunteers or not.

2.what is their Accountability in this issue; whether they provide

any compensation to the Children and their Parents.

It is the responsibility of the concern organization to give

explanation as a self report and organize a meeting with the

affected Parents to build Hope with the Non- Governmental

Organizations.

The Hospitals sholud never do testings without the consent of the

Parents. Therefore we expect the Hospital Dean to provide the self

explanation regarding this incident and what are the proceedures

followed in RIMS in HIV testing - not from a counsellor.

Thanks,

with regards,

PWN+

e-mail: <suseelaanand@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

This is a horrific story. What are the positive networks and civil society

organizations in Manipur going to do about this? Is MSACS aware of this? What is

their reaction towards this? This is truly disturbing that a State like Manipur

which is moving very fast with HIV programs and leading a lot of the HIV

intervention work in India to be caught in this totally unacceptable and

horrendous violation of human rights.

Please keep us all informed about the responses of the State and should any help

me required from professionals such as lawyers, I am sure the lawyers network

for HIV will move in quickly and help.

Regards,

Neichu Angami

Nagaland

e-mail: <neidzangami@...>