The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Multi-pronged approach to fight AIDS: Collector

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Multi-pronged approach to fight AIDS: Collector

Staff Reporter

State ranks second in its prevalence, he says

ART, VCTC centres set up at Kakinada and Rajahmundry
State providing benefits under various schemes

— Photo-S. Rambabu

Loud and clear: Students taking out rally against AIDS in Rajahmundry on Monday.

Kakinada: The number of HIV positive people in East Godavari district is 1.75 per cent (approximately 43,000), which is higher than the State figure of 0.97 per cent (about 4,00,000).

To prevent the disease from afflicting more people, the district administration has adopted a multi-pronged approach comprising among others setting up of anti retro-viral therapy (ART) centres at Kakinada and Rajahmundry and 14 voluntary counselling and testing centres (VCTC), according to the Collector Gopalakrishna Dwivedi.

Addressing a gathering of HIV positive children and parents at his camp office on the occasion of World AIDS Day on Monday, Mr. Dwivedi said eradication of HIV/AIDS required collective efforts by all sections of society and affection to those suffering from the disease. He pointed out that Andhra Pradesh ranked second in the country in the prevalence of AIDS after Mizoram.

As regards facilities for diagnosing and treating AIDS, Mr. Dwivedi said 30 integrated counselling and testing centres, five centres for prevention of mother to child transmission of AIDS, five care and drop-in centres, five sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics and a mobile counselling and testing centre were functioning in addition to ART and VCTC.

The Collector said the government was providing benefits under various schemes for the HIV positive people to help them face the crises. Priority was being given to them in construction of houses, distribution of pensions and other schemes, Mr. Dwivedi added.

Superintendent of Police Y. Nagi Reddy, DRDA project director Ch. Kumara Swamy, Kakinada RDO G.C. Kishore Kumar and representatives of various service organisations were present.

Awareness meet

The Kakinada Unit of Directorate of Field Publicity of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting organised an awareness meeting on HIV/AIDS for the inmates of Social Welfare Girls Residential College on the occasion of World AIDS Day on Monday. Field publicity officer M. Srinivas Mahesh observed that India has the world’s second highest number of HIV positive people in 15-35 age group after South Africa.

He said it was a serious matter that needed a cohesive global strategy to counter the disease lest it should ruin the lives of millions of vulnerable people.

Government hospital doctor K. Manikya Naicker, Nehru Yuva Kendra convener Y. Manoranjan and college principal M. Vani spoke.

An essay writing competition on ‘Viruses- diseases’ to mark the event.

Rajahmundry: World AIDS Day was observed on Monday in the East Godavari in different ways.

Most of the Educational institutions took out rallies against AIDS in Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Amalapuram, Ramachandrapuram and other places.

A huge rally was taken out from Government Arts College to Anam Kala Kendram holding placards, banners .

The rally was inaugurated by Mayor Adireddy Veeraraghavamma, Municipal Medical Officer Satyadev, Doctor K. Vasundhara, different colleges NCC, NSS coordinators, NGOs and others participated in the rally.

AIDS Day observed

Srikakulam: “World AIDS Day” was observed at Ranasthalam near here on Monday by NSS Ranasthalam and Youth Club of Bejjipuram. S.V.Sudhakar, Vice-Chancellor of Ambedkar University who participated as the chief guest exhorted the youth to work for creating a society without AIDS by creating a mass awareness in this regard.

He later flagged off an AIDS rally on the national highway. District Medical and Health Officer B.Ramdas Naik complimented the activists of Youth Club and “Swagathi” another NGO for their active participation in the awareness activities.

President of BYC B.Prasada Rao and M.Prasada Rao spoke on the theme “Lead-Empowerment and deliverance”.

G.Kondal Rao, Field publicity officer actively coordinated the event.

Blood donation camp

Srikakulam: District Collector Nagulapalle Srikanth has launched a blood donation camp on the occasion of “World AIDS Day”. Speaking at the meeting the Collector encouraged the students to donate blood and come to the rescue of AIDS victims some of whom died due to non-availability of their blood groups.

He said that healthy youth should come forward to donate blood and save lives. About 100 youth from NSS units donated blood. The Collector also flagged off a rally which went through main fares of the town to create awareness on AIDS.

‘Educate people’

VIZIANAGARAM: Collector G. Ram Narayana Reddy has asked voluntary organisations and elected representatives to coordinate with the district administration to control spread of HIV/AIDS. On the occasion of World AIDS Day on Monday, the Collector flagged off a rally at fort.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that no scheme would be of help unless people were enlightened on the dreaded disease, he said and asked NGOs to create awareness among people about HIV/AIDS through meetings. The rally passed through three lamps junction, clock tower, Balaji junction and ended at Ananda Gajapathi Auditorium.

Ch. Mahesh, DM & HO, S. Chandra Reddy, District Leprosy Officer, students of various colleges, anganwadi workers and voluntary organisations participated in the rally.

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