The Hindu : National : Rights-based approach to AIDS called for

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Saturday, Jul 23, 2005

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National

Rights-based approach to AIDS called for

Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman A.S. Anand has said the exploding problem of HIV/AIDS is no longer a public health issue, but a human rights one as well, which calls for a departure form traditional public health planning.

At a workshop organised by the Family Planning Association of India in collaboration with the NHRC and the State AIDS Control Society, Chandigarh, Mr. Justice Anand stressed the need for quality assured HIV/AIDS centres, more clinical facilities that would provide HIV care, increased access to drugs and enhanced psycho-social support

Citing the example of the National AIDS Control Association, which had set up a Human Rights Cell, Mr. Justice Anand said the response of society had to be through a rights-based approach.

Highlighting the need to sensitise medical practitioners, he said there was a need to sensitise medical practitioners, as there had been instances where patients had not disclosed that they were HIV positive, for fear of being turned away.

He said that in India, a majority of HIV testing was not accompanied by pre- or post-test counselling.

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