Wednesday, August 24 2005 14:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A bill to check discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients in jobs, hospitals or educational institutions has been circulated to State Governments for their comments, Lok Sabha was informed today (August 24, 2005).

Observing that this bill would be brought to Parliament for enactment after the State Governments and others' views are ascertained, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said during Question Hour that Government was carrying out condom promotion campaigns and planned to streamline functioning of NGOs dealing with HIV/AIDS.

He said the third phase of the National AIDS Control Programme would be launched in June next year and the project period would be for five years.

At present, there are 922 NGOs implementing 965 targeted intervention projects among high-risk groups and 58 running 60 community care centres for the terminally-ill patients, he said, adding that, state AIDS control societies had withdrawn support from about 38 NGOs since 1999 on various grounds.

To a question on heart diseases, Ramadoss said a new national programme would be launched soon, for which a Task Force has been set up and the Planning Commission approval received.

There were also plans to introduce yoga in the school curriculum to prevent the spread of heart diseases among children, he said.

To another question, he said an amendment to the Medical Council of India Act has been brought in Parliament to empower the Centre to direct the Council to address issues of public importance and policy.