Members of the Tamil Nadu Networking People With HIV/AIDS have expressed disappointment at the passing of the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014, by the Rajya Sabha earlier this week.
They said the Bill had failed to ensure free and complete treatment as it contained a clause stating that the Central and State governments should take measures to “as far as possible” provide anti-retroviral therapy and opportunistic management to people living with HIV or AIDS. Activists had protested the phrase “as far as possible” and called for it to be removed.
Addressing mediapersons on Thursday, activist Daisy David said the bill did not give people living with HIV/AIDS any assurance that drugs and treatment would be provided to them.
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Drug shortages
Considering the recent stock-outs of drugs in many parts of the country, and the ongoing shortage of paediatric drugs in some places, merely the adoption of a test and treat policy was not enough, said P. Kausalya of the Positive Women’s Network.
“If it is in the Act, we can raise questions when there are drug shortages and we have recourse to the law,” she said.
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Ms. Kausalya also said the community wanted the Tamil Nadu government and as many other State governments as possible to pass ordinances in their State removing the “as far as possible” clause. With over 1.5 lakh people in Tamil Nadu availing of anti-retroviral treatment, this was the need of the hour, she said.
Others also pointed out that treatment and drugs were key, for themselves and their children, over and above other issues they faced.
R. Selvam of the Tamil Nadu Network of Positive People and Noorie Saleem of the South Indian Network of Positive people were among those who participated.