Indian Prime Minister Meets with Coalition for AIDS Treatment Access (CATA); Assures...

Indian Prime Minister Meets with Coalition for AIDS Treatment Access (CATA); Assures Action on HIV/AIDS Treatment

Group Presents 10,000 Letters in Support
NEW DELHI--(Business Wire)--
A delegation from India's Coalition of AIDS Treatment Access
(CATA), a diverse group of civil society partners who engage the
collective advocacy interests of all the participating members towards
better HIV/AIDS treatment, efficient treatment facilities and efficacy
in treatment provision for people living with HIV/AIDS throughout
India, met on Friday with Dr. Manmohan Singh, the honourable Prime
Minister of India, at the 7 Race Course Road residences. The CATA
delegation, led by Dr. Chinkholal Thangsing, Asia Pacific Bureau
Chief, for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and the President of
India Cares, pressed the Prime Minister to help improve access to
medical care and treatment for HIV and AIDS, including increasing
access to both first and second-line lifesaving antiretroviral
treatments in India.

During the meeting with CATA representatives, Prime Minister Singh
said, "We are taking the issue of treatment for HIV/AIDS patients as a
priority, and the provision of second-line treatment will be gradually
extended to cover all those in need throughout the country."

The CATA delegation apprised the honourable Prime Minister of the
current HIV/AIDS situation in India from the perspectives of the
group's members and submitted a memorandum requesting universal access
to HIV/AIDS treatment and access to second-line treatment for all
those in need in India. The CATA group also presented 10,000 plus
letters of appeal by people from across the country for improved
treatment access in India.

"We are deeply honoured that CATA was given this opportunity to
meet with Prime Minister Singh and share our concerns on behalf of all
people living with HIV/AIDS in India and to specifically ask the Prime
Minister to intercede with the appropriate government agencies to help
minimize bureaucracy and streamline government processes in order that
we may achieve universal access to lifesaving HIV/AIDS treatment,
including access to second-line therapies, in India," said Dr.
Chinkholal Thangsing. "This is a positive movement that will create
visible changes in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in India."

The delegation also included Dr. Nochiketa Mohanty, Project
Coordinator, AH -- India Cares; Mr. Birendra Soni, Regional
Representative of India, Student Global AIDS Campaign (SGAC), Student
World Assembly; Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Secretary, Social Empowerment of
Villagers Association (SEVA); Mr. Umesh Gour, President, Confederation
of Community Based Organizations (CCBOS); Mr. Amod Dalela, Chief
Operating Officer, Saubhagya - All India Foundation of Social Work;
Ms. Kamini, Chief Executive Officer, Saubhagya; Mr. Francis D'Mello,
President, Love Life Society; Mrs. Asha, Representative, Positive
Women; and Mr. Snehansu Bhaduri, a vocal AIDS activist on second-line
treatment.

In the CATA Memorandum, which was graciously accepted by the Prime
Minister, the delegation also appealed for:

-- revitalized prevention campaigns that will reach communities
at risk and will stop the transmission of the deadly virus;

-- universal access to treatment for all and accessible HIV
testing services that will reach all of the communities
including rural India;

-- unlimited provision and availability of lifesaving second-line
antiretroviral therapy for all needing second line drugs;

-- an increase in access to antiretroviral therapy (ART)
treatment centres especially in rural areas as well as - women
specific and paediatric treatment centres;

-- an intervention to reduce denial of services on the above
grounds to establish a mechanism to bring together government
and civil societies including people living with HIV/AIDS to
address such issues;

-- intervention to pass HIV/AIDS bill in the Parliament to safe
guard and protect the right of people living with HIV/AIDS in
India at the earliest;

-- a de-centralised approach to increase responsibility in
addressing HIV/AIDS prevention, education, treatment, care and
support and asked to make NACO more accountable,

-- transparent and more people friendly in providing
comprehensive prevention, treatment and care services for
people with HIV/AIDS in India.

The Prime Minister empathised with member of group and assured the
delegates that definitive government action will be taken to ensure
protection of the well being of people living with HIV/AIDS in India.

About CATA

The Coalition for AIDS Treatment Access (CATA) is now an "Active
Advocacy Forum" with more than 40 organisations in Delhi and other
parts of India as active members. A few of its primary members among
the growing list of organizations include AIDS Healthcare Foundation -
India Cares, Student Global AIDS Campaign, World Vision, Love Life
Society, Amnesty International India, MITR, SEVA, Saubhagya, CCBOs and
many others.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Dr Chinkholal Thangsing, Chief Asia Pacific Bureau
+91-11-41745542
+91-11-41745543 (Fax)
+91-11-40502142 (Direct)
+91-98-18270687 (Cell)
chinkholal.thangsing@aidshealth.org
www.aidshealth.org
or
AHF India Cares
Dr. Mahesh Ganesan, Advocacy coordinator
+91-11-41745543 (Fax)
+91-9911331998 (Direct)
mahesh.ganesan@aidshealth.org
or
Student Global AIDS Campaign
Mr. Birendra Kumar Soni, National Representative
+91-9755030685 (Direct)
birsoni@gmail.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008