MNS:- The two-day Inter-Ministerial Conference for mainstreaming HIV organized by the Department of AIDS Control began at New Delhi today.
The programme started with welcome by Dr. Neeraj Dhingra, Deputy Director General, TI, Department of AIDS Control.
Addressing the inaugural session, Ms. P Kousalya, President, Positive Women`s Network said that HIV is a developmental issue which affects every aspect of life of an affected individual and has a significant impact beyond health, particularly of the women and children.
Ms. Alexandra Solovieva, Deputy Country Director, UNDP, India said that under the leadership of NACO, India has made significant strides towards arresting new infections and reversing the epidemic. She emphasised that for inclusive and sustainable development it is important to deliberate on the scope for mainstreaming HIV and commented that the conference has been timed well with the twelfth five year plan to gear up the efforts in mainstreaming.
In his address, Mr. Sayan Chatterjee, Secretary and DG, NACO touched upon the progress India has made and reminded the delegates that success should not lead to complacence which can be counterproductive. He urged that the focus and energy and high spirit has to be sustained for creating impact. Mr. Chatterjee noted that the emerging evidence though indicates the headway made among select states and key populations it also highlights fresh pockets, select key and vulnerable populations that need more attention and a refined response. He also noted that the conference is being organised at a very opportune moment at the beginning of NACP IV. He stated that an infection like HIV which cannot be cured but only prevented and which is sexually transmitted, in the context of a sexually conservative society calls for a synergy in response.
Ms. Aradhana Johri, Additional Secretary, DAC presented the global and regional HIV scenario and elaborated on the need for effective response through a multi sectoral approach discussing the available evidence and the way forward. She mentioned that India`s significant achievements have been well appreciated globally and summarized the India`s progress towards halting and reversing the AIDS epidemic in India. She mentioned that globally India is doing very well and nationally we need to do much better leveraging the synergies with various ministries. She admitted that India needed more evidence on migrants, truckers and TG for a refined response and the national programme is gearing up towards that. She also emphasised that while people must know about the services, for utilisation of the services in a stigma free environment is pivotal. She pointed out that Stigma cannot be addressed in isolation and calls for a concerted efforts of various ministries and departments.
Altogether three technical sessions were held during the day. The topics of the sessions were as follows:-
1. Partnership for mitigating the impact of HIV and AIDS by improving access to social and legal protection for communities affected by HIV.
2. Partnership to address issues of Sexual Reproductive Health and HIV among adolescents and youth.
3. Partnership for reducing the vulnerability and impact of HIV and AIDS among uniformed personnel.
Representatives from various ministries, public and private sector companies, industry associations, autonomous bodies, representatives from state governments, State AIDS Control Societies and technical experts in the field took part in the conference.
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