Port Blair, Mar 18: Fourth Joint Working Group meeting (JWG) & meeting of the Complaints Officers for HIV / AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 was conducted on 18/03/2021 at the Seminar hall of JNRM, 10 Representatives from various departments/institutions & 9 complaint officers were present for the meeting.

At the National level Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between 18 Ministries and National AIDS Control Organization (NACO).

Objective of the meeting was to bring all departments in one platform, nominate nodal person from each department, discuss action plan as to how HIV/AIDS related information may reach every employee of each department & voluntary Blood donation could be promoted.

Dr. M. Joy, Project Director, A & N AIDS Control Society (ANACS) explained the objective of signing MoUs with various key Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, their role and responsibilities to fight this syndrome, HIV/AIDS is not only a Health issue but also a social problem which needs to be addressed with a joint action of different sections of the society. Since this syndrome is associated with stigma and discrimination, the non-health sectors can play a very important role towards achieving the objective, of National AIDS Control Programme. We aim to reach out to people in the community and test them where they are, with proper counseling and consent. The protection of rights of person afflicted by HIV is further ensured by “HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017”. The departments were informed about the Community based Screening (CBS) for ‘Knowing their HIV Status”. The test report will be dealt confidentially.
The representatives from the departments discussed on the areas and the strategies that can be followed to conduct interventions in their concerned departments on a regular basis.
Dr. P.K. Sikdar, AD (LSD) briefed on roles and responsibilities of Ombudsman and Complaints Officer and salient features of HIV/ AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 through Power Point Presentation. It was also informed that DHS, A&N Administration has been appointed as Ombudsman.
Earlier, Dr. Jahanara Yasmeen, Deputy Director (IEC) welcomed the participants and gave an over view of the agenda to be discussed in the meeting.
Mr. Girish Kumar, Assistant Director (SPM) coordinated the whole programme.