(a) whether the Government have any proposals to have compulsory check up of AIDS of the foreigners coming to India from various countries;
(b) whether World Health Organisation and United Nations have opposed this step of the Government;
(c) if so, the reaction of the Government thereon;
(d) whether the Government have formulated any scheme for expansion of voluntary counselling and Training Centres (VCT) for prevention of AIDS; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)
(a) As per policy of the Government, all foreigners, intending to stay for more than one year in India and those foreigners who enter India on short term visa but want to extend their stay for a year or more, are subjected to undergo AIDS testing only once during their stay. However, foreigners working in various missions whether enjoying diplomatic status or not; foreign priensts and nuns and foreign journalists accredited to the PIB (Press Information Bureau of India) and all foreign visitors coming on short term visa are excluded from AIDS testing.
(b) & (c) No Sir.
(d) & (e) Yes, Sir. Government has decided to establish Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centres in all public sector hospitals up to district level in a phased manner giving priority to high prevalence States viz. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur and Nagaland.