HIV/AIDS Bill Passed In The Parliament: All You Need To Know

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2017 has been passed in the Lok Sabha on 11th April, 2017, which aims to strengthen the rights of the people who have been suffering from HIV or AIDS. It is the first national HIV law in South Asia. India has the third largest HIV epidemic in the world. At the end of 2015, there were an estimated 2.1 million people living with HIV in India. Unfortunately, HIV and AIDS are still considered as a taboo in India and therefore, we are hoping this new bill brings a fresh lease of hope and respite.

Here are some important features you need to know about the HIV/AIDS Bill passed in the Lok Sabha. The Bill mentions all the several grounds on which discrimination against HIV and AIDS patients is prohibited and the rights that they can enjoy. Anyone who does not adhere to these may have to face civil as well as criminal proceedings.
 

• The bill ensures equal rights to the people affected by HIV and AIDS in getting treatment, admissions in educational institutions and jobs and renting a property as well as with holding of public or private office, access to insurance and the freedom of movement.
• The HIV/AIDS Bill asserts that there would be no discrimination against persons infected with HIV on ground of treatment, employment and workplace. And whosoever who does not adhere to the provisions of the bill will be penalised.
• Dubbing the bill as patient-centric and progressive in nature, Health Minister JP Nadda said that the government will soon come out with a new test and treat policy for the people living with HIV for providing free treatment to them.
• The legislation has also provisions to safeguard the property rights of HIV positive people - which means that every HIV infected or affected person below the age of 18 years has the right to reside in a shared household and enjoy the facilities of the household.
• The bill ensures that no HIV test, medical treatment or research will be conducted on a person without his informed consent. It also has a provision under which no person shall be compelled to disclose his HIV status except with his informed consent, and if required, by a court order.

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