Now, members of the community called men having sex with men \will not feel neglected as far as their fight for their rights is concerned. They will find an open forum in Nokhu Aaikhu.
Nokhu Aaikhu formed to represent HIV+ve gays; to work in Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara, Jamnagar & Bhavnagar
RAJKOT: Now, members of the community called men having sex with men (MSM) will not feel neglected as far as their fight for their rights is concerned. They will find an open forum in Nokhu Aaikhu.
Nokhu Aaikhu, which means a different life, will cater to the humanitarian and emotional needs of MSM members as well as People Living with HIV/Aids (PLHWA). An offshoot of Lakshya Trust, which has been working with MSMs in Saurashtra, Nokhu Aaikhu has been formed and registered in Rajkot. “There was a need for a different organisation for MSMs and trans-genders who were HIV positive or had Aids, as they were not really able to open up in a common forum,” said Nokhu Aaikhu president Kanan, who has been an outreach worker with Lakshya Trust.
On the occasion of the formation of Nokhu Aikhu, a workshop was held under the aegis of ActionAid India, Gujarat branch. “Based in Rajkot, Nokhu Aaikhu will work with MSM PHLWA in Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar districts,” said Sushila Prajapati of ActionAid. “The organisation will work with the issues of MSMs and trans-genders,” she added.
At the workshop, Prajapati talked on the Global Aids Week and the problems faced by MSM PLHWA and how to raise their demands before the government. She informed the participants about the HIV/Aids Bill and its importance.
Medical expert Dr Kamal Parekh from Wockhardt Hospital informed the participants about the need of going for counselling by MSM PLHWA people.
It was decided that they would submit a memorandum to state health minister, health commissioner and district collector, highlighting their demands. The demands include antodaya cards for PLHWA people, free passes for train and bus travel for MSM PLHWAs, immediate release of second line antiretroviral treatment (ART), and speedy passage of HIV/Aids Bill.
(Inputs by Ashok Adepal)
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