New Delhi: Alarmed by the increasing number
of HIV/AIDS cases among police and paramilitary personnel, the
Centre has decided to convene a national conference next month
to chalk out strategies for combating the challenge.
The conference will also take stock of the initiatives
taken by the Home Ministry for mainstreaming of paramilitary
forces and state police personnel on prevention of HIV/AIDS to
ensure successful implementation of the national AIDS control
programme.
"Recognising the need for introducing structural changes
for an effective response by the police, the ministry has
formally endorsed the UNAIDS India recommended strategy for
HIV programming with uniformed personnel," an official said.
Representatives of seven paramilitary forces -- CRPF,
BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG and Assam Rifles -- and all state
police forces will take part in the meeting.
For prevention of spread of HIV/AIDS among policemen, an
action plan has been implemented and a task force constituted
for the purpose.
The seriousness to deal with the challenge came following
reports of growing number of HIV/AIDS cases in police forces.
The CRPF reported 273 full blown cases of AIDS in four
years between 2005-08, 78 in 2008 alone.
Besides, the largest paramilitary force reported 1,547
cases of HIV positive in the four-year period -- 665 alone in
2008.
Bureau Report
