Union Cabinet clears Bill prohibiting discrimination against persons with HIV/AIDS
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments to the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014 in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Bill, seeking to prevent and control the spread of HIV and AIDS, includes provisions that prohibit discrimination of persons with HIV and AIDS.
“The Bill seeks to prevent and control the spread of HIV and AIDS, prohibits discrimination against persons with HIV and AIDS, provides for informed consent and confidentiality with regard to their treatment, places obligations on establishments to safeguard rights of persons living with HIV and create mechanisms for redressing complaints. The Bill also aims to enhance access to health care services by ensuring informed consent and confidentiality for HIV-related testing, treatment and clinical research,” the government said in a statement.
The various grounds mentioned in the Bill, on which discrimination against people with HIV and those living with them is prohibited include:
“the denial, termination, discontinuation or unfair treatment with regard to:
(i) employment,
(ii) educational establishments,
(iii) health care services,
(iv) residing or renting property,
(v) standing for public or private office, and
(vi) provision of insurance (unless based on actuarial studies). The requirement for HIV testing as a pre-requisite for obtaining employment or accessing health care or education is also prohibited.”
According to the Bill, "No person shall be compelled to disclose his HIV status except with his informed consent, and if required by a court order". And organisations that keep records of HIV positive persons shall maintain measures to protect the data.
The HIV & AIDS Bill, 2014 lists various grounds on which discrimination against HIV positive persons & those living with them is prohibited. pic.twitter.com/ym91Y7qXWA
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) October 5, 2016
The HIV & AIDS (P&C) Bill, 2014 seeks the prevention & control of HIV & AIDS. pic.twitter.com/taZ5HxGhxE
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) October 5, 2016
The HIV & AIDS (P&C) Bill, 2014 aims to enhance access to healthcare services by ensuring informed consents. pic.twitter.com/BWZgWxA0Zt
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) October 5, 2016
The #HIV & #AIDS (P&C) Bill, prohibits the requirement for HIV-testing to obtain employment, health care or education. pic.twitter.com/hcXyrcoTBy
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) October 5, 2016
The #HIV & #AIDS (P&C) Bill, protects the right of residence in the shared household in a non-discriminatory manner. pic.twitter.com/yV52UXtNWK
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) October 5, 2016
The #HIV & #AIDS (P&C) Bill, prohibits any individual from publishing information or advocating feelings against HIV positive persons. pic.twitter.com/BhblqlzERw
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) October 5, 2016
The Bill also mentions the measures to be taken by Central and State governments in connection with providing anti-retroviral therapy to persons with HIV/AIDS, welfare schemes for women and children, and HIV or AIDS education communication programmes.
An estimated 21 lakh HIV positive people live in India. Even though the number of cases have decreased over the years, the amendment will help India in achieving the target of "Ending the epidemic by 2030" according to Sustainable Development Goals.