**************************************************************** Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service & circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network (GOA CAN)<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ***************************************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------------- MLAs express concern over AIDS spread in Goa ---------------------------------------------------------------- Cutting across the party lines, members of the state legislative assembly today expressed grave concern over the AIDS epidemic in Goa and demanded tough measures to control the spread of dreaded disease.
Replying to a spate of subsidiaries from the members, the Health Minister, Dr Suresh Amonkar, accepted the suggestions of the members and assured to bring in a comprehensive legislation to make disposal syringes compulsory for doctors in Goa. The question was tabled by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Pratapsing Rane. Dr Amonkar, however, expressed government's inability to bring in a legislation for making compulsory blood test for ascertaining the exact figure of HIV-infested people in the state in the light of ruling and decision of the apex court and the National AIDS Control Organisation, respectively which have debarred enactment of such a law. The demand for compulsory blood test made by Rane was supported by Mr Laxmikant Parsenkar (Mandrem), Mr Vijay Pai Khot (Canacona), saying that if such a step was not taken the situation would go out of control. The Health Minister, however, told the House that even if blood checking was made compulsory the situation would not be able to ascertained because a person if tested as 'negative' may get infested with disease few days later. The virus remains in blood for the period of 6 to 10 years and it becomes very difficult to see in Elisa test at the initial stages. Dr Wilfred de Souza (Saligao) suggested that the solution for controlling the dreaded disease did not lie in a legislation but in education. Dr de Souza went ahead suggesting that drugs for AIDS have been started to manufacture in India and prices of these drugs are started going down slowly. Earlier, Dr Amonkar informed the House that in all 165 AIDS cases were detected in Goa from the first case of its detection in 1989 to June 2002. Besides, he said 4905 people have been found HIV-infested in the state till date. In response to a subsidiary from Mr Rane, the Health Minister reeled off the age-wise classification of the HIV-infested persons. Between the age of 0 to six 3 per cent were found HIV-infested, while the percentage of age group between 26 and 35 stands at 45.1, while those between 46 and 50 stands at 5.69 per cent. Pointing out age-wise classification of the HIV-infested persons in the state, Mr Rane asked whether the government has any proposal to provide a drug called 'Cocktail' to the HIV patients to save life of young people. Denying that the government has any plan to provide drugs like 'Cocktail' to HIV-infested patients, Dr Amonkar said this drug only prolongs a patient's life. However, Dr Amonkar assured the House of initiative in providing these drugs to the AIDS-infested mothers from September. In response to another query, the Health Minister informed the House that nearly 90 per cent of HIV-infested cases are sexually-transmitted one. The Goa AIDS Control Society besides, some non-governmental organisations were keeping a watch on safety of blood and controlling STD in red-light areas of Baina and Margao. Dr Amonkar also informed the House that the GACS was conducting educational programmes in educational institutions and condoms were being distributed free of cost through the NGOs. To a suggestion from Mr Alexio Sequeira (Loutolim) over distributing of condoms to truck drivers, especially near the industrial estates, Dr Amonkar informed the House that the government distribute condoms worth Rs 10 lakh annually free of cost. In response to a point from Mr Francisco Sardinha (Curtorim), Dr Amonkar informed the House that the NACO has sanctioned community centre for AIDS patients in Goa. -------------------------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 9/8/02 page No 1 -------------------------------------------------------- ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy ======================================= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
