Close on the heels of neighbouring Karnataka, the Andhra Pradesh government is also planning to make the HIV test mandatory for brides and grooms prior to their marriage to curb the spread of the dreaded disease.
Launching a special scheme under 'Balasahayoga' (help to children) for the HIV affected children in the state, chief minister Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy hinted that the government will bring in a legislation to make HIV test mandatory for brides and grooms before marriage to arrest the spread of the deadly disease. Plans are also being made to increase the existing number of ART (anti-retroviral therapy) centres to 23 by next March.
'Balasahayoga' is a comprehensive care and support meant for improving the quality of life of the children as well as their families who are infected by HIV.
The officials said the programme was estimated to cover 20,000 HIV/AIDS affected children in the state. An amount of $US 14.5 million would be spent over the next five years. In a recent survey among children below 15 years, it was noticed that nearly 74 per cent of girls and 90 per cent of boys had knowledge about the HIV infection and its effect on health.
The Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) of UK and the Elton John AIDS Foundation in partnership with the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) and Global fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (), funds the new initiative.
The programme is the outcome of a review of `Balasahayoga' programme by the chief ministered with APSACS project director G. Ashok Kumar. According to the project director, estimates showed that over 10 lakh people were tested during the `Be Bold' campaign this year to know their HIV status as against five lakh people last year. Moreover, 10,000 AIDS patients were accessing ART drugs this year against 36,000 last year, the officials said.
Of the 23 districts, Family Health International in eleven districts through the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative and CARE would implement the programme. In rest of 12 districts, the programme would be implemented by India HIV/AIDS Alliance led by Global Fund Consortium.
It would provide various services like medical care, nutrition, educational and psychological support, shelter and protection to the affected children. Existing resources and comparative advantages of government institutes, private sector and other organisations would be utilised to expand the coverage. Along with this programme, capacity building of the development partners and strengthening of the government health care system too would be considered, the sources said.
The state government in its budget had earmarked an amount of Rs 7.7 crore towards establishing care and support centre for HIV+ persons in the state.