Taking a lead in the HIV-AIDS prevention and control programmes,Gujarat headed a two-day workshop held recently alongwith Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in preparation of the regional draft for GIPA principles. The National Aids Control Society (NACO) has taken measures to introduce documentation and uniform implementation of Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV AIDS (GIPA) principles across the country. At present,NACO is in its regional drafting process in the country before the final documentation of the GIPA principles can be carried out. The concept of GIPA was first introduced at the Paris Declaration Summit in 1994,where the involvement of the HIV positive people in policy and decision-making was given an upper hand. While the principle was adopted by most of the countries in the following years,GIPA never saw a uniform implementation in all the states in India. GIPA has been in the NACO guidelines in the past but not many states have endorsed the principles. Gujarat is one of the first states,which has made headway in the implementation of the GIPA principles. But many states are still at the primary level of the AIDS control and preventions, said Dr Rajesh Gopal,Joint Director,Blood Safety and Quality Assurance,Gujarat State Aids Control Society (GSACS). Now,under the National Aids Control Programme (NACP) -III,the country will document the principles taking in account the regional requirement. GIPA principles focus on the grassroot level involvement of the people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A) in every committee which involves decision making,policy formulation or any big or small activity which involves the HIV community. GIPA is basically for the community,by the community and to the community. An HIV positive person can understand their problems best,so it is necessary that their perspective is taken into account, said Daxa Patel,president of the Gujarat State Network of People Living with HIV Aids (GSNP+). In the draft formulated by the three states,a greater concern was towards rural participation in HIV programmes. There are many points that have been listed in draft from our perspective and we have stressed upon district level involvement of PLWH/A in the policy making and decision-making programmes. Mainstreaming of the PLWH/A and breaking the stigma is still an issue of concern, said Dr Manoj Shevkani,regional coordinator,GSACS.
