— Photo: PTI

A STAMP ON AIDS: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam releases a stamp on World AIDS Day, at a function in Parliament on Friday.

NEW DELHI: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Friday asked the Government to bring in robust and effective legislation to prevent discrimination against AIDS patients within the next six months.

He was speaking at a function in Parliament House, organised by Parliamentarians Forum, to mark World AIDS Day.

Mr. Kalam said the role of public leaders was important and asked the Members of Parliament to pass legislation to prevent discrimination to people afflicted with AIDS. The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry was working on draft legislation, he pointed out and called upon the MPs to see that it was enforced within the next six months.

``Meanwhile, MPs can take up the discrimination issue with local administrations, panchayat authorities and the non-governmental organisations and create a movement so that the stigma and discrimination among the affected people is totally removed in a time-bound manner. Members of Parliament can definitely in their constituency through panchayats and religious centres communicate this to the people,'' he said.

Referring to two AIDS vaccines being developed in the country, Mr. Kalam said the cost of drugs for AIDS had to be brought down. They would have to be made affordable and bring relief to the patients.

``Hence, apart from the HIV control protocol, the most important mission for the country today has to be the prevention of the spread of HIV further. There is no other way other than developing and leading to production an effective anti-HIV vaccine.''

Asking the MPs to consider taking up control and prevention of HIV/ AIDS from their constituency within the next five years as an important mission, the President said this could help create an organised awareness campaign among all rural youth and women in their constituency to enable prevention of infection among this population through a well-organised prevention programme.

Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said the Parliamentarian's Forum should act as an information source to every member about the status of the ongoing programmes on HIV/AIDS in his/her constituency. He suggested that as in the MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), the members should bring out an annual report on the HIV/AIDS programmes.

Somnath's call

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said elected members could influence public opinion, enhance awareness of relevant issues and help in dispelling the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS. They also should mobilise the agencies of the Government, private sector and civil society groups in dealing with the crisis. ``Parliamentarians should also seek to ensure formulation of policies and programmes that are sensitive to the needs of those suffering from HIV/AIDS,'' he said, while pointing out that considering the magnitude of the problem, drafting and implementing an AIDS Control Programme was undoubtedly a stupendous task before the national leadership.

Mr. Chatterjee also took up the matter in the Lok Sabha asking the members to re-dedicate themselves to the cause of preventing HIV/AIDS by creating awareness.

Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani said we should accept the seriousness of the issue instead of trying to underplay or exaggerate the AIDS figures.

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss suggested that a portion of the MPLADS fund be spent on AIDS awareness programmes in each constituency.

``Parliamentarians have to take the lead in creating an awareness against the disease which is spreading from the high risk groups to the general population, particularly among women.''

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