In a bid to ensure equal rights to people afflicted by HIV and Aids, a crucial Bill has been passed by Rajya Sabha. The bill will help the HIV patients in getting treatment, admission in educational institutions and jobs.

Union Health Minister for Health & Family Welfare, J P Nadda has presented the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014, which was passed in the Upper House by a voice vote.

In his reply to a debate in upper house, Nadda said “I would like to inform the House that while making the rules, we will ensure that nobody is denied treatment and we are committed to provide medical treatment to all those living with HIV or AIDS. We are going with an aggressive policy.” Stressing the government’s commitment to the issue, the minister said “India will treat anyone with HIV and AIDS.

Government of India will help the patients having HIV or AIDS in the treatment. He said, a provision to provide justification to the patients denied for the treatment will also be added in the bill.

The minister has quoted the passage of the bill “historic” as the government can now ensure better quality of life to people living with these diseases. He added, Rs 2,000 crore has been allocated for National AIDS Control Programme this year.