PHA-Exchange> Asian People's Charter on HIV/AIDS

[jo]

Dear Dr. Prem John, Unnikrishnan, Thelma and others,
Christian Medical Association of India [CMAI] is circulating the draft version of Asian People's Charter on HIV/AIDS among its members who are working closely on HIV/AIDS related area for their expert opinion.Here is a comment from Ms. Mini Varghese

Warm Regards 
Joe Varghese
Policy Advocacy & Research Group 
CMAI
Policies and programs should have adequate emphasis on the prevention and care and support programs rather than focusing either of one 

The charter has not made even a mention of women and children. It is estimated that in India there will be 14 percentage of those affected are children below 14 years. Orphaned and vulnerable children are already a reality in Andhrapradesh and Northeastern States of India.

Action:

Build the capacity of affected communities and families to care for the infected affected and orphaned children.

Governments, NGOs and civil society to uphold and fulfill the goals and objectives stated in CRC where India is also a signatory.

Polices to reduce vulnerability of children and youth to HIV through life skill education and economical empowerment

NGOs, civil society and law enforcement agencies to safe guard the rights of people living with HIV. These include access to treatment and services at health care settings, rights to property and, access to education etc.

Most of the stigma and discrimination happens in the health care settings. I feel there is a need of a section on health care providers

Strengthening the capacity of health care providers to provide services to PLHA

Provide Non discriminate health care services to PLHA 

Uphold the ethical guidelines in research, clinical trails and treatment of PLHA

The charter has rightly acknowledged that the issue of HIV needs to be addressed beyond lenses of medicine.

Though the charter have made mention of war and poverty, it has not come out with strong actions. It needs to address the issue of insurgency/Conflict and its role in spread of HIV. For example, in Northeastern India and some of the Asian countries like Vietnam and Cambodia, the HIV transmission (IDU) increased due to insurgency and long Military occupation. Secondly, the relation between poverty and trafficking of women and minors that increases the Commercial sex work.

It is adequate to say People infected and affected rather than say all people affected, infected and living with and suffering from HIV.

 
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