Council Bill Aims to Join Forces Against AIDS

Peace and Democracy Party Deputy Sebahat Tuncel proposed to the Turkish Parliament on Monday a bill aiming to create a national AIDS council and facilitate access to treatment.

"The proposed council will aim to create awareness and attitude change on the issue as well as to reinforce medical support. A council supported by the authorities will strengthen the struggle against the deadly disease," Deputy Tuncel said in a statement.

The proposed bill stated that the council would be formed by officials from several medical institutions including Health Ministry, Mother Protection and Family Planning Institute, AIDS supporting NGOs and other support groups.

The proposed bill listed the AIDS council's duties as follows:

* Make propositions aiming to create a national policy to battle AIDS/HIV and submit them to Health Ministry.

* Create programs aiming to bring public awareness in coordination with ministry officials.

* Make suggestions to the ministry concerning risk groups including women and children, and offer systems of consultation, control, care and support for these groups.

* Monitor parliamentarian activity on AIDS.

* Suggest practices for the prevention and decontamination of AIDS.

* Design and offer educational programs to reduce prejudices against HIV positive patients.

* Provide material for diagnosis, counseling for free in necessary.

* Fight against discrimination of AIDS patients at work.  (ÇT)