The HIV Prevention Programms of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in Goa in association with State AIDS Control Society has concentrated its efforts on prevention among high risk groups, but the State government has failed to take ownership of general awareness in the HIV control programme, says Goa-based Positive People, group working for People Living with HIV(PLHIVs).
The high risk groups targeted include female sex worker (FSW), men having sex with men (MSM), injecting drug users (IDU) and single migrants and truckers, Mr. Peter Borges of Positive People, said on World AIDS Day on Monday.
He said that the HIV programme in Goa is centrally funded by NACO and no funds are infused by the State. State has thus failed to take ownership of HIV control program in Goa, he lamented on World AIDS Day on Monday.
Ms. Isabel Santa Rita of Positive People appreciated the local government for making available ART (Antiretroviral treatment) free of cost for PLHIV.
On the issue of "Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections, Zero deaths from AIDS-related illness, Zero discrimination”, she stated that Goa is far from achieving the same as there are new HIV infection and HIV death reported in Goa.
She further said that Goa can’t be boasting about zero discrimination since discrimination of people living with HIV is noticed among medical fraternity as well.
Speaking of challenges, she said the government should prioritize awareness about HIV for educational institutions, called for strong advocacy against stigma and discrimination and focus to be given to Parent Teachers Associations, religious groups, youth groups and medical fraternity.
The Positive People activists point out that provision made by State government for PLHIVs include a State social security scheme DSS and concession on State-owned Kamdamba corporation buses. However, while
implementing these schemes proper sensitization was not done for service providers. Hence discrimination is caused to PLHIV while assessing these services.
Mr. Borges also felt that the recent merger of NACO into Health Ministry which will affect the entire HIV/AIDS Programme in India.
He also alleged that the HIV Bill drafted in 2004 has not been finalised yet, and urged MPs to advocate for the same with the Central Government.
