World Vision Recommendations for Third National Aids Program - NACP III

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Going against all odds is not new to Sudha. Five years ago, Sudha bore the burden of caring for her dying mother, who was a devadasi. Sudha and her two brothers are living on their own—orphaned by AIDS. What worries her most is getting to work on time at a nearby cotton mill, where she earns Rs.40 after an eight-hour day, and making sure her younger brother, 11-year-old Guru, who is HIV-positive, stays in school and keeps up with his studies. Such a huge burden for a 13 year old.

But interestingly, Sudha will not be counted in the 2.5 million people living with HIV and AIDS as announced by Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare recently stated during the launch of the Third National AIDS Control Program (NACP III). This is because Sudha is not HIV positive, but bears the brunt of the disease that decimated her family. "Children like Sudha are the uncounted ones who are not in the 'infected' group, but are 'affected' by the disease," says Dr. Jayakumar Christian, National Director, World Vision India, "We should start counting these children who are orphaned or made vulnerable by the disease too, so that we can arrest the cascading effect of HIV and AIDS."

The NACP III that the Minister claims is based on principles of "equality and inclusion" covers targeted interventions for youth and a more involved approach to paediatric antiretrovirals. But it does not talk about issues of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).

While this reduction of HIV numbers from 5.2 million to 2.5 million may be a cause for celebration, World Vision cautions against the government and other actors falling into the trap of complacence. "Though the statistics show a reduced rate, we are still struggling to respond to the needs," says Dr. Jayakumar, "This should not slow the pace of our response," he cautions.

To quote the Health Minister: "HIV/AIDS is not just a public health problem. It is a disease that is the result of deeply rooted socio-economic conditions and cultural beliefs, practices, attitudes and vulnerabilities." And children like Sudha and Guru are the ones who suffer the most in from this disease.

"If we do not start including children infected as well as affected by HIV and AIDS in our response we may well be contributing to the erosion of our future response," says Dr. Jayakumar. The response to HIV and AIDS has made great strides since the detection of the first HIV positive person in 1986. But, World Vision feels it is high time that we proactively strengthen and scale up our response to children like Sudha.

"For the children cannot wait," says Dr. Jayakumar.

World Vision recommends that NACP III should include plans for
1. Legislation that will strongly condemn and punish any form of stigma and discrimination that hinders the access of children living with or affected by HIV/AIDS to Education, Healthcare, Treatment (including access to age-appropriate ART) and their rights to property and land
2. Adopting innovative practices as well as policy options that provide direct support to children forced into heading households.
3. Ensure all pregnant mothers have access to Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission, as this will be the only way to keep more children from being added to the numbers of the infected.

Dr. Jayakumar Christian, National Director, World Vision India is available for interviews on this issue. Please contact Ms. Joy Christina, Media Relations Coordinator at joy_christina@wvi.org or call at 98407 98734 / 044 2480 7064 to arrange interviews.

About World Vision India
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities living in poverty and injustice. With more than 50 years of experience in India, World Vision works in over 150 districts around the country through long term, sustainable community development programmes and immediate disaster relief assistance. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, caste, race, ethnicity or gender.

Source: World Vision India (Business Wire India)

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