Indian Armed Forces Introduces Compulsory HIV Screening for Incoming Recruits

The Indian armed forces has introduced compulsory HIV screening for all people entering the military, Vijay Singh, director general of the Armed Forces Medical Services, said on Thursday, the Press Trust of India/Hindu reports. People found to be HIV-positive will be permitted to serve in the armed forces and will be eligible for all medical benefits, but people living with AIDS will not be permitted to serve and will not receive medical pensions, Singh said. He added that open discussions with the families of personnel living with HIV/AIDS were being encouraged. According to Singh, the Indian military's HIV/AIDS program is considered the best in the world, and the U.S. is learning from it. India's armed forces have not reported any deaths from AIDS-related complications since 2005, and 32 HIV-positive people currently in the forces are being treated, according to the Press Trust of India/Hindu (Press Trust of India/Hindu, 10/27).