1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

close monitoring and counseling should be done by the Health Department. An
increasing number of young people now seem to make a living through sex and
to prevent the disease from spreading, a separate location, if appropriate could
be identified for such activities. If it were managed through proper health
monitoring and make necessary health resources available, it could help in
preventing the spread of the infection and the disease arising from HIV
infection.
In conclusion to the deliberation on the issue of HIV/AIDS raised by the people
of Dagana Dzongkhag, the Assembly noted the submission made by the Health
and Education Minister in that the best possible preventive and combative steps
and programmes are being taken against the disease. Her Majesty the Queen,
Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, has taken great personal interest and
responsibility, and toured the whole country, talking to people and raising their
awareness to prevent the spread of the disease. Further, it was noted that till
now, there were 22 infected persons in the country, out of which 4 have died
and there are 18 living, whose identities are kept confidential although these
persons are under health supervision and care.
The Assembly noted the Health and Education Secretary’s report that there is no
effective treatment for AIDS and also the reasons and need for maintaining the
confidentiality of identities of the infected persons. The family planning
measures, in particular the preventive and monitoring measures for HIV/AIDS
being taken by the Health authorities were also noted by the Assembly. The
Assembly called upon all the Chimis, Gups and other community leaders to
disseminate this information in the villages and raise awareness, as this would
play an important role in preventing the spread of the disease. On the issue of
making the identities of infected persons publicly known, the Assembly
resolved that this would be against universal health norms and practices and
also against human rights. Therefore, the practice of maintaining confidentiality
in Bhutan should be continued; but the infected people should be under medical
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