Former Prime Minister of India - Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee

PRIME MINISTER'S OPENING REMARKS AT THE MEETING WITH CHIEF MINISTERS OF HIGH PREVALENCE STATES ON HIV/AIDS ,

Following is the text of speech of the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the meeting with Chief Ministers of high prevalence states on the issue of control and prevention of HIV/AIDS:

~I thank you for attending this meeting on the important issue of control and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

It has been estimated that 3.86 million people are infected with HIV in India. Recent surveys conducted by the National AIDS Control Organization have shown a high prevalence of over one percent in the general population in the six States of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,Tamil Nadu, Manipur, and Nagaland. The prevalence level among the STD clinic attendees is even higher. This is truly a cause of serious concern.

Experience in several African countries has shown that if the spread of the infection is not controlled at a level of one to two percent of the general population, it leads to a geographical increase in the prevalence level. Thereafter, the situation could go out of control. The African experience has also demonstrated that the gains of development, achieved painstakingly over many years, can be nullified by a widespread AIDS epidemic. The economic and social costs of care, support, and prevention, when the HIV prevalence exceeds the level of one percent can be more than the health budgets of developing countries.

In India, therefore, we still have an opportunity to prevent the AIDS epidemic from becoming as widespread and devastating as we see in Africa today. However, this necessitates urgent and concerted action by both the Government and the civil society.

The Government of India has earmarked substantial funds under the National AIDS Control Programme to undertake preventive measures and care and support of those already infected. A decentralized administrative mechanism has been established through the State AIDS Control Societies. These have autonomy and flexibility to implement a multi-sectoral programme. However, your leadership and support is critical and absolutely necessary to make the programme effective and to secure people’s participation.

The six States that you represent are already in an advanced stage of the epidemic. These States today carry the burden of almost 75 percent of the total estimated HIV infections in the country.

In Andhra Pradesh, seven districts have high prevalence. During the past year the State AIDS Society has initiated a number of NGO projects. It has also stepped up its awareness campaign. However, there continues to be a great deal of stigma and discrimination against those infected and their families. It is important to intensify the awareness drive based on community participation. The STD treatment facilities in both the Government and private sector need to strengthened. Referral of patients and proper care and treatment is another important challenge in the State.

Maharashtra illustrates how fast the infection can spread. The first case of HIV was detected in 1986. Today twelve districts have high prevalence. Maharashtra attracts a large number of migrant labour from all over the country. Intensive programmes for industrial workers, dock workers, slum population, and truck drivers should be strengthened. At the same time, we must expand the education programmes for youth both in schools and out of schools.

The first AIDS case in India was detected in Tamil Nadu. The latest survey has shown that six districts in the state are high prevalence districts. NGO activities in Tamil Nadu have been one of the most successful interventions undertaken in the country. However, these need to be expanded to ensure that the high-risk groups are fully covered under these programmes. Operational research has started in Tamil Nadu to use Ayurveda and Siddha drugs in clinical care of AIDS infected persons. These studies can provide us important feedback on the values of Indian System of Medicine in fighting the epidemic. These remedies can be a low cost alternative to anti-retroviral drugs.

Karnataka has ten districts that have high prevalence. We need to accelerate and expand the involvement of NGOs in Karnataka to cover all the high-risk groups. In particular, migrant labour from the northern districts of Karnataka needs special attention as many of them go to Maharashtra and Gujarat in search of employment. These are also certain social evils in this region, which contribute to the spread of HIV. These need to be countered through concerted action by social groups.

The HIV epidemic in the North East is different from that in the States I have just mentioned. In both Manipur and Nagaland, a majority of the infections occur due to sharing of infected syringes and needles by drug users. In both these States we need to coordinate with the drug de-addition programme of the Government of India and the NGOs.

Dear Chief Ministers,

The AIDS epidemic presents a grave challenge. It seriously affects the present as well as the future development of your States. Your six States must, therefore, intensify prevention activities and focus on awareness of young people who are the most vulnerable. These should include programmes for school children, street children, and other young people to help them to adopt a responsible lifestyle. We should also actively involve religious establishments who can have a strong positive influence over large sections of our society.

Just as the world’s attention is focussed on India’s efforts to counter the AIDS challenge, our country’s attention is focussed on your six States and how they are dealing effectively against the looming threat. Our success in these six States will greatly boost both our ability and our confidence in fighting the menace elsewhere in the country.

I wish to reassure you that the Centre will continue to partner with you in every possible way in our joint war against HIV/AIDS.

Thank you~.