Delhi to Provide Food and Housing for HIV-Positive People

The Delhi High Court has directed the government to make sure free food, housing, medical treatment, and other required necessities are available to people living living with HIV under the poverty line.

Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma headed the bench and observed several rehabilitative schemes and measures by the Delhi Government to provide aid and assistance with strict compliance under the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017.

“The GNCTD has taken all possible steps to ensure that affordable treatment is available to individuals afflicted with HIV/AIDS, who do not possess the financial wherewithal to do so,” the bench said in an order. “The government is also directed to ensure free food and medical treatment to HIV-positive persons who are below the poverty line and hence, are unable to afford the same.”

The court order passed based on a petition creating by people living with HIV who'd been abandoned by their families and were without shelter. The petitioners also sought several directions to the Delhi government to provide the same necessities to HIV/AIDS survivors.

The Delhi government noted that the 2017 Act “has been implemented across the country with effect from 10.09.2018 to establish a robust system to deal with grievances of affected persons.”

The court also recorded efforts toward providing free anti-retroviral treatment (ART) as well as financial and travel assistance to attend ART centers. There are currently 20 enrolled beneficiaries with 429 applications still in process.

The Ministry of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation aims to provide housing and basic services to slum dwellers and the urban poor in certain cities, but does not have anything specifically targeted toward rehabilitating HIV-positive individuals.