State gets positive on its HIV staff

Maharashtra’s First: An AIDS policy for over 25 lakh government workers

 

MUMBAI: For the first time in the country, the Maharashtra government will put into place a comprehensive HIV/AIDS policy for its 25 lakh-plus staff. The draft policy, which is expected to be cleared by the Cabinet this month, envisages non-discrimination at workplaces and free medical attention whenever needed among other things.

 

The purpose behind unveiling the policy, said public health secretary Vijay Satbir Singh, is to provide a conducive atmosphere to those of the state government’s employees who may be suffering from the disease. As few people disclose their HIV-positive status at the workplace, the government has no idea how many of its employees are affected.

 

Applicable to 22 lakh state government employees and around three lakh employees in various public sector units, the policy permits an HIV-positive patient to avail of more sick leave if he needs it, promises confidentiality, seeks to involve his family in counselling and therapy, and aims at working out individual workplace intervention programmes according to the need of the department.

 

Sentinel surveillance (surveys of high-risk group studies and ante-natal cases) shows an HIV prevalence of one per cent in Maharashtra.

 

“The state government has a strong commitment to the HIV-positive population. Through our own employees, we’re hoping to reach out to many more affected people,’’ Singh said. The young population, between 15 and 49 years, is more vulnerable and therefore the target of HIV prevention programmes.

 

“Studies show that economic growth is often affected by the disease as was evident in South Africa,” he said. The policy is based on guidelines developed by the International Labour Organisation — ‘ILO code of practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work’ — and incorporates inputs from the National Aids Control Organisation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

 

It entails no HIV screening, continuation of employment, prevention, care and support, and “reasonable accommodation”. The last clause is a bit revolutionary for a public office — it could include rearrangement of working time, special equipment if necessary, “opportunities for rest breaks, time off for medical appointments, flexible sick leave, part-time work and return-to-work arrangement’’.

 

Grievance redressal and disciplinary procedures are also built into the policy. It says that women suffer more, and offers up the facilities at the 676 integrated Counselling and Testing Centres in Maharashtra for any employee who wishes to screen himself or get treated.

 

“We will not force them to undergo HIV testing but if anybody wants to, we’ll encourage them to do so at any of these centres,’’ Singh said.