Goa softens stand on pre-marital HIV test
Goa Health Minister Dayanand Narvekar on Thursday softened his position over the proposed amendment to Health Act to make pre-marital test for HIV/AIDS mandatory, stating that the matter was still at a preliminary stage of discussion and expressed his willingness to take cognisance of the diverse public opinion over the issue.
Minister says matter is still at a preliminary stage of discussion
# Proposal has been opposed by social groups and NGOs # Of every 38 persons afflicted with HIV in Goa, one-third are in the productive stage
PANAJI: Goa Health Minister Dayanand Narvekar on Thursday softened his position over the proposed amendment to Health Act to make pre-marital test for HIV/AIDS mandatory, stating that the matter was still at a preliminary stage of discussion and expressed his willingness to take cognisance of the diverse public opinion over the issue.
The Minister was addressing the first public debate organised by the State Health Services and the State AIDS Control Society to assess public views over the Government's proposed legislation. The proposal had met with severe opposition from several social groups and non-governmental organisations, who have called it "disastrous" and against human rights.
"Your opinions and suggestions will be much valued by us in dealing with high cause of saving precious lives," said Mr. Narvekar. He said it was out of State's concern towards the health and well-being of its citizens that the idea of such a legislation had emerged.
Project officer of the Goa AIDS Control Society Prakash Kanekar said that though Goa is classified as a moderate state for the spread of AIDS, it was surrounded by States with high incidence of the disease.
Health Secretary U.K. Vohra said the idea of such sessions was that "before we go into the enactment, all stake holders be given a chance to debate."
Opposing the proposed legislation, Albertina Almeida of Bailancho Saad, a women's collective, questioned the basis of its being made mandatory. She feared that it would not only push the disease underground but people would also not register marriages in Goa.
Pramod Salgaonkar, former chairperson of State Women's Commission, recounted her experience at Women's Commission to back Ms. Alemida's argument and added that marriages would be conducted outside Goa without registration.