The NGO opined, “Advocacy against stigma and discrimination that the government can achieve NGOs cannot, and this should be tackled by making HIV awareness its priority with focus on PTAs, religious and youth groups, medical fraternity, etc.”
The discrimination came to the fore after the clash between parents and a school management that had decided to admit some HIV positive students in Quepem.
NGOs have also reiterated that there was an urgent need to fill vacant post at GSACS – not filled for last five years – and alleged that the routing of funds through the State treasury has hampered the prevention programmes since NGO staffers are not paid salaries for months.
Another point that came up was that the HIV Bill drafted in 2004 has not yet been finalised.
NGOs have pushed that the awareness programme on HIV for the general public needs to be revived, and that the State-conducted HIV awareness programme be initiated and awareness on HIV for educational institution be prioritized.
Arguing that the State government has failed to take ownership of general awareness in the HIV control programme, the NGO argued that care and support livelihood programmes should be initiated by the government.
The HIV Prevention Programms of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in Goa, in association with State AIDS Control Society, has concentrated its efforts on prevention among high risk groups including female sex workers (FSWs), men having sex with men (MSM), injecting drug users (IDU) and single migrants and truckers.
However, Peter Borges of Positive People said that the HIV programme in Goa is centrally funded by NACO but no funds are put in by the State.
Isabel Santa Rita Vas said the government should prioritize awareness about HIV for educational institutions.
Borges also felt that the merger of NACO with the Health Ministry will affect
the entire HIV/AIDS programme in India.
