Opinion

02.12.2005 Communication campaigns for HIV/AIDS awareness and control should involve the communities in the decision making process and use the new communication tools, such as ICTs, in combination with community radio and other grass-root experiences. There is also a need to engage communication specialists at a higher level in cooperation agencies, to effectively contribute to the decision-making process. A redistribution of funds is necessary to balance the fabulous expenses in mass media, with the needs of research, training and support of communication initiatives with a sense of ownership by communities.

17.10.2005 Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) should be considered a key priority in child health and development programming considering the health and economic benefits linked to this achievement. Information and communication technologies can be used strategically to deliver health services effectively and extensively. What is required is completing the nutrition package of child health and delivering infant feeding counseling to all families as a part of integrated neonatal package.

06.10.2005 With just 10 years to go, to attain the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals, the author is trying to gauge if India is poised to achieve these goals? Even with a tangible amount of economic and political growth in the country, there are certain areas like institutional reforms, childcare, where prompt action needs to be taken up. Moreover, are government initiatives really pro-poor?

17.08.2005 The involvement of civil society in combating HIV/AIDS in India is crucial to its success. While almost 1,000 NGOs are working with the National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) to control the disease, the involvement of business is less well-known and just as critical.

01.08.2005 In an interview with Manish Kumar of OneWorld South Asia, Syeda Hameed, Member Planning Commission, says that the Internet, computer and the entire mass media have to really converge in HIV/AIDS awareness efforts.

01.08.2005 "There is high awareness of ICTs and many applications have been developed. But that does not mean it is enough or enough has been done”, says Maxine Olson, in an interview with Manish Kumar of OneWorld South Asia.

01.08.2005 The basic constraint so far has been resources, but in terms of funding things seem to be looking up. We are also short of trained, skilled manpower”, says S. Y. Quraishi, in an interview with Anusha Lall and Reeshma Nair of OneWorld South Asia.

01.08.2005 There is a need to develop content, updating the information constantly, deliver it to the people in a language they can understand, and make it easily accessible.....ICT can well provide the needed solution.

07.07.2005 HIV gives rise to certain specific problems in women. They have little or no access to information. Even if they have information, they do not have the power in relationships to bargain, for what is rightfully theirs.

04.07.2005 "In the absence of a vaccine, the social vaccine of education and awareness is the only preventive tool we have. Media, which conveys information and moulds public opinion, must remain at the heart of our campaign”, says Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister.

04.07.2005 For politicians HIV/AIDS continues to be seen as a health problem of people seen to be ‘morally corrupt’. The social, economic and political dimensions of the issue are still not beginning to get clear to these people.