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Chennai – Shameful act by Govt. Hospital authorities.
Doctors shy away from body of suspected HIV+ youth
CHENNAI: It was a harrowing experience for the kin of a suspected HIV-positive youth, who committed suicide at Narikuravar Colony in Pallavaram on Saturday. They had to run around with the body as doctors refused to conduct post-mortem citing inadequate facilities.
According to police, the 25-year-old victim committed suicide by hanging on Saturday afternoon. He took the extreme step unable to overcome the shock of his blood samples testing positive for HIV.
When his family members took the body to Chrompet Government Hospital, doctors said adequate facilities were not available to conduct post-mortem and asked them to go to Royapettah Government Hospital.
When they took the body there, hospital authorities said the post-mortem could be conducted at Chrompet Government Hospital itself as HIV-positive bodies required special facilities for autopsy. However, staff at the Chrompet hospital maintained that there was no provision to conduct the post-mortem.
With no other option, about 100 people, including women, gathered at the Pallavaram police station with the body and threatened to resort to a road blockade if immediate steps were not taken to conduct the post-mortem.
Special Correspondent, for The Hindu
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Ignore Ramadoss’s stand on gays: Govt to HC
It's a case that is being closely watched around the country. The Delhi High Court is nearing the end of daily hearings on a petition that seeks to legalise homosexuality, which continues to be a crime in India inviting a life sentence.
Last week, the court had some scathing words for the Centre which has argued that homosexuality can create law and order problems. The judge asked: "How can something that happens in private breach public peace?"
The case has also exposed a huge divide in the government. The Health Ministry wants homosexuality legalised but the Home Ministry does not. Meanwhile, replying to the question raised by the HC, the Centre has said that ignore the stand of the Health Ministry on homosexuality issue.
It also said that laws made by Parliament prevail over the views of a particular ministry.
Neha Khanna, for NDTV.com -
Union of India defends Section 377
Proceedings continued in the matter of Naz Foundation (India) Trust v. Government of NCT, Delhi and Others, Writ Petition (Civil) No. 7455 of 2001, which challenges the constitutional validity of Section 377, Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) before a division bench of Chief Justice A.P Shah and Justice Murlidharan of the Delhi High Court. On 25th September 2008, Advocate Shyam Divan argued on behalf of Voices against 377 in support of the petition.
On 26th September 2008, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) - PP Malhotra proceeded to argue on behalf of the respondents - Union of India.
The ASG began by referring to judicial pronouncements on Section 377 where the sexual acts in question were committed against a child. He stressed that Courts had repeatedly described acts covered by Section 377 as "perverse" and "abhorrent". The Chief Justice interrupted the ASG and said that the cases pertained to child sexual abuse and not adult, consensual sex which is the subject matter of the hearing.
The Bench then questioned the ASG on the government's stand on the matter. The ASG replied that he had been instructed to oppose the petition and defend the validity of Section 377.
Tripti Tandon, for Lawyers Collective -
“They still believe TB is untreatable”
It was overwhelming moment for all the villagers when the 50 years old Shivdayal Pasi (schedule caste) died because of TB. Ganga Jamuni, a village around 110 km away from the state capital of Uttar Pradesh, situated in Bahraich district, is becoming more vulnerable towards preventable TB. Shivdayal is not the only one who had died because of TB. There are others in this village who are struggling with TB.
This village has a population of about 1,200 people including children. For the last four years more than six TB patients has been detected in this village.
They believe, TB is untreatable and can easily lead to death. They have seen their forefathers too dying of TB.
They haven't seen the miracle of simple antibiotics to treat TB.
Amit Dwivedi, for Citizen News Service -
Addiction is a way of life with city youth: survey
Chandigarh, September 19: Consumption of alcohol or drugs is indicative of maturity, feel nearly 53 per cent of youngsters living in the city. A recent survey conducted by Dr Avnish Jolly, resource person with UNAIDS India, Godwin Society and Theatre Age, found that only 2 per cent of the youth were aware of the potential addictive nature of painkillers, sleeping pills and cough syrups.
The survey was conducted on 500 youngsters in the city in the age group of 18 to 20 years.
The format of the survey was based on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Dr Jolly says: "Painkillers or sleeping pills are commonly available at home. Youngsters tend to consume these without realising that they can get addicted. Parental guidance is essential as they should check whether their child is consuming these medicines in excess."
Khushboo Sandhu, for expressindia.com -
Pune: A Positive City
Thanks to Pune’s youngsters, the AIDS campaign has moved beyond slums and red-light areas to the streets, multiplexes and restaurants...
It’s a given for parents to object to attires of their college-going kids. But the Sangitianis definitely seemed to have a point when they demanded to know why their daughter Shweta was going out donning a T-shirt that said “HIV Positive”.
In another part of Pune, similar shock waves were being emitted from a group of youngsters who formed a part of the crowd waiting outside a movie hall at a swanky multiplex. In a loud and crystal-clear voice, one of the guys had just informed his friends that he’d discovered he’s HIV positive and was now giving details about how he contracted the virus.
And in the city’s upmarket Koregaon Park area, a family was debating over whether to sit down for a meal at a table where the coasters read "Be HIV Positive…about educating yourself and others about HIV and AIDS" or then "Sex workers protect themselves, why don’t you?" To add to their dilemma, a waiter came over and handed them a brochure that listed the FAQs about AIDS.
If it’s in-your-face, it’s because that’s exactly what it’s meant to be. A clutch of collegians in the student city of Pune have decided that it’s time people learnt to talk openly about AIDS and HIV. They have also learnt that since lectures are antediluvian and nothing succeeds like shock when you want some undivided attention, they need to redefine the rules about spreading the good word.
Sunanda Mehta, for Indian Express. -
In blast times, eunuch goes to donate blood, is turned away
Stories of callousness of hospitals is not new. Refusing beds to the terminally ill, denying care to the sick, making them wait for hours for an appointment…the list is endless.
And now, in blast times, if a recent incident at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital is to be considered a case in point, there is discrimination against those who want to help, also.
After the blasts, many people came forward to help and donate blood. Among them was Sita-a eunuch. After hearing of the plight of the victims of Saturdays blasts, Sita wanted to help and went to RML Hospital where the doctors refused to accept her blood and turned her away.
This, apparently, at a time when the hospital would have needed as much blood as possible!
Metro Now
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Condoms@call centres: Why single them out?
They are a familiar sight at railway stations and on college campuses across India. Now condom vending machines may find a niche in call centres too.
Earlier this week, the Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) announced that the authorities have asked call centres and BPO companies to install condom vending machines. "This is underway. The machines will be installed soon," APSACS project director RV Chandravadan told a news conference in Hyderabad. The Mumbai District Aids Control Society (MDACS) had made a similar announcement in June this year.
Campaigners for HIV awareness are cheering. But its not a problem solved, by any means. Chandravadan unwittingly underlined one of the main hitches in the scheme when he declined to name companies and share details of call centres.
He told journalists that IT companies would not want their names to be made public as this could bring them a "bad name". It was proof, if any were needed, that for a majority of people, condom vending machines continue to be both taboo subject and shameful object.
Pallavi Srivastava, for The Times of India -
‘Sexy’ pictures on condom packs to stay, orders SC
NEW DELHI: 'Sexy pictures' on condom packs will remain, at least for the time being, the Supreme Court said on Monday. It stayed a Madras high court order which had virtually banned such pictures on condom packets, terming them as "indecent, obscene" and an affront to Indian ethos.
The HC order had left Hindustan Latex, the largest manufacturer and marketer of contraceptives and condoms, so worried that it requisitioned the services of solicitor general G E Vahanvati to get it out of the sticky situation. Other private condom manufacturers were more than eager to join hands with the PSU in appealing against the HC order.
The SG said, "To promote the usage of condoms in a customer friendly manner, Hindustan Latex has adopted the strategy of attractive sales and marketing policy. This strategy has resulted in remarkable sales."
Dhananjay Mehta, for The Times of India
© 2008 Wake Up Pune.
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