Andhra Pradesh looking to make pre–marital HIV/AIDS test mandatory

The state government of Andhra Pradesh is planning to pass a law, making pre–marital HIV/AIDS test mandatory which, if implemented, would make it the first Indian state to do so.

While Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has denied that the proposed law would violate human rights, State Health Minister K. Rosaiah said that the legislation would be passed soon.

"Human rights of innocent young women married off to HIV positive men who hide their status should be given higher priority," Reddy said.

"I do not understand what kind of rights'discourse allows innocent persons to get infected by the dreaded disease,"the CM said at a function to launch a public–private project for HIV/AIDS infected children.

"It may be infringing on the fundamental human rights of the victims to go for compulsory testing of HIV. But rights of the partner and rights of future generations must be defended," he added.

"A huge awareness program from district level is planned before enforcing the law. We hope, the sane will definitely fall in line with the government's objective," he said.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh will receive $14 million for 'active support' of an estimated 20,000 children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and their families by expanding coverage of the comprehensive care, moral support and treatment services.

The project is funded by the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) of the UK and the Elton John AIDS Foundation in partnership with the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS).

This program is aimed at improving the quality of life of children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS a well as their families. It will be implemented through a consortium of three partners, including the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative and CARE, led by the Family Health International in eleven districts. In the remaining 12 districts, the program, led by Global Fund consortium will be implemented by India HIV/AIDS Alliance.

In India, where over 5 million people are afflicted with HIV/AIDS, the government authorities and NGOs have been focusing on high–risk groups such as drug users and truckers, who have helped spread the virus across the country as many of them have sex with prostitutes during their journeys and infect their wives back home.