Nagaland Drug Users Oppose HIV Tests

The move by "Project ORCHID" to go for 100% HIV testing has been opposed by north east India drug users’ forum (NEIDUF), Nagaland drug users’ network (NUN) and network of people living With HIV (NNP+). The Nagaland Post reports that NEIDUF (interim body) president Abou Mere, NUN general secretary Ruokozo Theyo and NNP+ general secretary Lanu expressed their rage at the perceived human rights violation and said in a note that “…we are not guinea pigs just because we use drugs or availing Drop-In Centre services.”

Project ORCHID did not have the right to do this they said, adding "No individual should be made to undergo a mandatory testing for HIV. No mandatory HIV testing should be imposed as a precondition for employment or for providing health care facilities during employment.”

The organizations have also urged the Nagaland government to take steps to prevent mandatory testing.


Source-Medindia