HIV tests spark debate

SURAT, March 14: The medical fraternity has reacted strongly to the attempt by the city police to subject commercial sex workers to HIV t...

SURAT, March 14: The medical fraternity has reacted strongly to the attempt by the city police to subject commercial sex workers to HIV test, saying forcible tests violate the recommendations of the National AIDS Control Organisation NACO.

The NACO recommendation says, 8220;No person can be compelled to take HIV tests. Mandatory tests can be done only on orders from the competent authority.8221; The reaction comes in the wake of the police plan to drive out commercial sex workers. Chakla Bazaar Hatao Samiti CBHS is agitating for the same demand for the past six years.

The police have raided Chakla Bazaar, located in the heart of the city and surrounded by four schools and four religious places, and arrested over 60 sex workers, including customers, over the last fortnight. All of them were taken to the New Civil Hospital NCH and subjected to HIV tests.

The tests have angered the medical fraternity, who say they are 8220;violation of human rights as the patient8217;s consent is a must.8221; 8220;Once declared positive, the HIV carrier might face social boycott. Moreover, the tests could be faulty and a single Elisa test is not sufficient proof to establish one8217;s HIV status,8221; says associate professor of Preventive and Social Medicine NCH Dr Pradip Gupta.

8220;Our intention is to highlight the risk the people run because of existence a redlight area,8221; says police commissioner Kuldip Sharma while justifying the tests. 8220;We want to use the reports 8212; which we are yet to get 8212; to back up our drive legally,8221; he says.

When contacted, Dr R P Patel, in-charge HIV Testing Centre, refused to divulge the test results.

A senior doctor, asking anonymity, says, 8220;The police is doing a futile exercise. Even if they are declared HIV carriers they will continue the trade elsewhere.8221;

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The Surat Municipal Corporation in association with Dr Gupta8217;s department is running Sexual Health Intervention project in the area, which will be affected if CSWs are shifted. Project manager Dr N R Mehta admits the police raid has affected the project.

According to a survey conducted by Dr J K Kosambiya six years ago, 18 per cent sex workers were HIV positive. The total number of women involved in the flesh trade is said to be 600.

And this is why, points out police commissioner, it is easy to rehabilitate at least 200 of them. 8220;Efforts are on to rehabilitate at least those willing to come out of the hell. The police are co-ordinating with various agencies, including NGOs, to find an effective solution. Since the number of prostitutes in Surat is small compared to Mumbai and Calcutta, it is easy to rehabilitate them,8221; Sharma says.