THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary- October 7, 2016- Topic 1
The revival of the HIV and AIDS
(Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014, and the Union Cabinet’s approval for provisions that make discrimination against people living with
the virus punishable, are positive steps. Such laws, however, can only deliver
benefits within the overall constraints imposed by an underfunded public health
system. Where the legislation can make some difference, with active monitoring
by HIV/AIDS support groups, is in ensuring that acquiring the infection does
not mean an end to education, employment, access to housing and healthcare due
to discrimination. The success of the anti-discrimination aspects hinges on the
readiness of governments to accept the inquiry findings of ombudsmen, to be
appointed under the law, and provide relief. Since the new law is intended to
both stop the spread of the disease and help those who have become infected get
antiretroviral therapy as well as equal opportunity, it will take a high degree
of commitment to provide effective drugs to all those in need. In August, the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare put the number of people getting free
treatment nationally at 9,65,000, of which 53,400 are children. This must be
viewed against the most recent estimate last year, that 2.1 million people live
with HIV in India, of whom 7,90,000 are women. Regional variations in access to
diagnosis and treatment must be addressed.
The legislation and the structure of
complaints redress that it proposes should provide some relief to thousands of
families that face discrimination in admitting children to school, an infected
individual getting a job, or treatment in hospital. Unlike many other diseases,
however, HIV/AIDS has received global attention and funding, thus building up
pressure on governments to come up with supportive policies. Communities will
now have the opportunity to ensure that the strongest element of the
prospective law, assuring confidentiality of HIV status, is enforced. A breach
could invite imprisonment and a fine. Yet, the proposals approved by the
Cabinet fail on one important count: the insurance industry is allowed to use
actuarial calculations to limit access to products to people with HIV. The
Centre’s initiative is palpably weak, since a universal system would not discriminate
against people with any form of illness, and would fully embrace the goal of
health and welfare for all. National AIDS Control Organisation data for 2015
indicate that while there is an overall decline in HIV prevalence among visitors to antenatal clinics,
there was a rise in nine States. The government must get down to business and
close such gaps.
Vocabulary
Revival: an improvement in the condition or strength of something.
Example: A revival in the fortunes of the party
Synonyms: improvement, recovery, rallying, picking up, amelioration, turn
for the better
Constraint: a limitation or restriction.
Example: The availability of water is the main constraint on food production
Synonyms: restriction, limitation, curb, check, restraint, control, damper
Acquire: buy or obtain an object or asset for oneself.
Example: Instead, tax will become payable automatically 30 days after the date that
the purchaser acquires the property or land.
Synonyms: obtain, come by, get, receive, gain, earn, win, come
into
Hinges: a movable joint or mechanism on which a door, gate, or lid swings as it
opens and closes, or that connects linked objects.
Example: He had only time to back away before the thick wooden doors swung open,
hinges protesting loudly.
Intended: planned or meant.
Example: The intended victim escaped
Synonyms: deliberate, intentional, calculated, conscious, planned, studied
Antiretroviral: working against or targeted against retroviruses, especially HIV.
Example: Antiretroviral therapy
Breach: an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of
conduct.
Example: A breach of confidence
Synonyms: contravention, violation, infringement, infraction
Palpable: able to be touched or felt.
Example: The palpable bump at the bridge of the nose
Synonyms: tangible, touchable, noticeable, detectable
Antenatal: before birth; during or relating to pregnancy, prenatal.
Example: Antenatal care
