Twenty-five representatives of the networks of People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) were observing a 'maha satyagraha' at Jantar Mantar in mid November. The aim was to draw the government's attention to their demand for social protection and access to entitlements, programmes and affirmative action.

Brijesh Dubey, chairman, Global Alliance for Human Rights feels Ayushman Bharat is the way forward in India.
Mr Dubey who is a person living with HIV for the last two decades, is managing with first line of treatment.
Although the ART therapy has helped him maintain his health to a level that he can help make the ends meet for his family. He however feels including people living with HIV can help people like him further.

“It is the most important scheme for the people affected by HIV/AIDS to maintain good health,” he told me.

''We go to hospitals repeatedly for treatment. Most people have lost their livelihood and are in severe economic distress due to COVID-19. If we are provided with the Ayushman Yojana, we can live on for some more years with our families. If our prayers are not answered, we have to go to the President of India and seek permission to end our lives," he said.

Mr Dubey and his colleagues gave a memorandum to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his health minister .

1. HIV/AIDS BILL - 2017 Notification & Appointment of Ombudsman from state Government.

2. Uniformity in Nutritional Assistance for HIV Community which differ from State to States.

3. Inclusion of HIV communities under Aayushman Yojana as we have been already included under National Food security Scheme.

4. Plea for Social Audit of FCRA money and Global Funds been used for welfare of HIV community in India from 2013-2021

5. Rehabilitation & Livelihood opportunity for Women living with HIV .

Mr Dubey feels cases have come down but India still has a huge majority of population living with HIV who need care.

India has the third largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 2.1 million people living with HIV.