Mumbai police very positive on HIV

The Mumbai police has become the first government agency in the country to adopt a workplace policy on HIV, which protects all employees aga...

The Mumbai police has become the first government agency in the country to adopt a workplace policy on HIV, which protects all employees against discrimination — in service or at the time of recruitment.

Officially, Mumbai’s 40,000-strong police force — including 2,000 women employees — is considered one of the most vulnerable groups for HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections. A random hospital test of the force had revealed that 10 per cent of the 150 tested were HIV positive.

‘‘Easy access to commercial sex workers and high-risk behaviour makes exposure to HIV and other diseases considerably higher than reported,’’ explains Dr A R Chavan, physician and TB specialist, Nagpada police hospital, Byculla.

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Guarding the rights of the individual, HIV testing will not be mandatory while hiring people or during employment, as per the new policy, which was compiled in co-ordination with the government-run Mumbai District AIDS Control Society (MDACS). Besides, if new recruits or employees do want to get themselves tested, the policy ensures complete confidentiality.

The MDACS framed the policy based on the International Labour Organisation’s code of practice. Dr Anjana Palve, project co-ordinator, says: ‘‘Initially there was reluctance at some stages from the officers. Many had several misconceptions about the disease. So the training sessions were crucial.’’

	As per the policy…

	• HIV testing will not be mandatory while hiring people • Sensitisation programmes for policemen and their families • 83 police stations will begin AIDS-awareness programmes

The policy also involves sensitisation programmes for the force — from constables to senior officers and their families. The wives of all police employees will be trained as peer educators to prevent further spread of the disease.

‘‘Many of my peers were not aware of the possible threat we are facing from this virus. During the training sessions, perceptions changed considerably,’’ admits Joint Commissioner of Police (administration) Dr Prem Kishan Jain.

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With the guidelines in place and ambitious plans for the future, what remains to be seen is whether the policy translates into action.

For the moment, a nodal committee will implement and supervise the workplace policy. Members include police surgeon, ACP (welfare), two honorary doctors, two patients living with HIV/AIDS, a woman representative and the MDACS project director.

Eight-three police stations will begin AIDS-awareness programmes.

Dr Sanjana Bharadwaj, who has been working in the field for over a decade and is an assistant project director in Unicef (young people and HIV/AIDS), welcomes the policy: ‘‘It’s a step in the right direction. I’m glad the State has taken such a decision, since it would have a lot of implications for every workforce. It’s significant for both the employer and the employee.’’