Discriminating people with HIV and AIDS may soon invite punitive action such as jail term for a maximum of two years besides a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, with the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approving amendments to a 2014 Bill.
The move aims to ensure protection and address privacy concerns of the HIV people and those living with them. The amendments to the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014 Bill also expand health facilities to those affected besides prohibiting discrimination against them in jobs, education and insurance among others.
Talking to reporters, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said, “No person shall be compelled to disclose his HIV status except with his informed consent, and if required by a court order.”
They also cannot be prohibited from residing or renting property and standing for public or private office, he said adding that a victim can take the violator to the court or to the ombudsman, a mechanism to be established for inquiring into complaints and redressing grievances. “These include the denial, termination, discontinuation or unfair treatment with regard to (these opportunities and facilities),” he maintained.
India has the third-highest population of HIV-positive people with more than two million affected by the virus. Though the number is on decline, the amendments follow concerns that despite several awareness campaigns, HIV has remained a highly stigmatised condition, preventing the sector to come out in open to take the treatment and avail facilities.
The approved bill also prohibits any individual from publishing information or advocating feelings of hatred against HIV positive persons and those living with them. Those between the age of 12-18 years with “sufficient maturity in understanding and managing the affairs of his HIV/AIDS affected family” can act as guardian to siblings who are minors, the Minister added.
Manoj Pardesi from National Coalition of People living with HIV said, “We have been demanding for the passing of this Bill for the last 10 years. I hope that now there is no delay and the Bill is passed in the upcoming winter session.”
However, there is lack of clarity on whether the Bill which is cleared by the Cabinet on Wednesday provides for free and complete treatment, he added.
In another decision, the Cabinet allowed Hll lifecare ltd, a Mini Ratna PSU under Health Ministry, to sub- lease 330.10 acres of land at Chengalpattu, in Chennai, to setup a medical devices manufacturing park (Medipark) through a special purpose Vehicle. The Medipark project will be the first manufacturing cluster in the medical technology sector in the country, envisaged to boost the local manufacturing of hi-end products at a significantly lower cost.