(a) whether the Government has conducted any study with regard to HIV affected children in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government is providing any special facility including education to the HIV affected children; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. ANBUMANI RAMADOSS)
(a)&(b) A study was conducted by UNICEF on children affected by HIV in consultation with Government at the
State and national level.The study titled ‘Barriers to services for Children of HIV positive parents in six high
prevalence states’ focused on the factors that impede the children from acceptance among the community members,
limit their access to services like education, health, and social welfare. The study also gathered opinion of key
services providers in health, education, and social welfare departments for solutions to overcome the stigma and
discrimination faced by the children.
(c)&(d) The ‘Policy Framework for Children and AIDS’ released by the Government on 31st July, 2007 proposes
‘universal’ access to services for all children including ‘children affected by HIV/AIDS’.Instead of providing
separate special facilities for these children there is a need to mainstream the children into the regular services of
education, health, and child welfare.