HIV/AIDS - The Indian Nightmare
India is home to the world's second-largest HIV population after South Africa with more than 5.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS and experts say the number could quadruple by 2010. The disease is likely to become the single largest cause of death in the world's second-most populous country unless there is progress on prevention.
There are many organizations in India who claim to be working to prevent HIV as well as help those who have already become infected or full blown. These organizations receive several billion dollars in aid from generous donors within the country and abroad. But how much do we know about the actual workings of these NGOs? Most of these organizations end up printing and distributing posters and leaflets. No more.
I think the Government could play a greater role in PREVENTION by screening. They could start by making it compulsory for those applying for passports or driving licenses to produce HIV TEST Certificates. Ofcourse, a person having HIV infection will NOT BE DENIED a Passport or License, but an ENTRY will be recorded. This will not only prove useful in screening but will automatically create the much needed AWARENESS.
Another place for Government intervention would be while REGISTERING MARRIAGES. It should be made compulsory that the couple should submit themselves to an HIV TEST before Marriage Registration. If the Government makes this compulsory it will save the families a lot of embarrasment. Even TEMPLES, CHURCHES, MOSQUES, GURUDWARAS should be made to comply with the same procedure.
India is home to the world's second-largest HIV population after South Africa with more than 5.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS and experts say the number could quadruple by 2010. The disease is likely to become the single largest cause of death in the world's second-most populous country unless there is progress on prevention.
There are many organizations in India who claim to be working to prevent HIV as well as help those who have already become infected or full blown. These organizations receive several billion dollars in aid from generous donors within the country and abroad. But how much do we know about the actual workings of these NGOs? Most of these organizations end up printing and distributing posters and leaflets. No more.
I think the Government could play a greater role in PREVENTION by screening. They could start by making it compulsory for those applying for passports or driving licenses to produce HIV TEST Certificates. Ofcourse, a person having HIV infection will NOT BE DENIED a Passport or License, but an ENTRY will be recorded. This will not only prove useful in screening but will automatically create the much needed AWARENESS.
Another place for Government intervention would be while REGISTERING MARRIAGES. It should be made compulsory that the couple should submit themselves to an HIV TEST before Marriage Registration. If the Government makes this compulsory it will save the families a lot of embarrasment. Even TEMPLES, CHURCHES, MOSQUES, GURUDWARAS should be made to comply with the same procedure.
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