Health ministry issues a notification for bringing the HIV/AIDS Act, 2017 in force

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued a notification for bringing the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 in force from September 10, 2018. The act safeguards the rights of people living with HIV and affected by HIV. The provisions of the act address HIV-related discrimination, strengthen the existing program by bringing in legal accountability, and establish formal mechanisms for inquiring into complaints and redressing grievances.

The act seeks to prevent and control the spread of HIV and AIDS, and prohibits discrimination against persons with HIV and AIDS. It lists various grounds on which discrimination against HIV positive persons and those living with them is prohibited. These include the denial, termination, discontinuation or unfair treatment with regard to employment, educational establishments, healthcare services, residing or renting property, standing for public or private office, and provision of insurance (unless based on actuarial studies). The requirement for HIV testing as a pre-requisite for obtaining employment or accessing healthcare or education is also prohibited.