The Hindu : HIV incidence controlled to a great extent: Semmalai

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 02, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

HIV incidence controlled to a great extent: Semmalai

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI DEC. 1. The World AIDS Day celebrations in the city on Sunday went off without much fanfare, but there were few answers to the question of how the theme of the current year - Live and Let Live, with the goal of eliminating stigma and discrimination - would be pursued by the various agencies.

The day's proceedings at the Chennai Corporation-sponsored event this morning at Sir Pitti Theagaraya Hall did not reflect anything about the strategy which the Chennai Corporation AIDS Prevention and Control Society (CAPACS) and even the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TNSACS) would take to address stigma and discrimination.

The theme, though, found mention on the stage background and the speeches of almost all the speakers.

Enquiries with the officials revealed that a proposal to start two drop-in centres and two care centres for HIV-infected persons is in the pipeline. National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) will provide Rs. 45 lakhs for the project. The drop-in centres will be run by community-based organisations formed by people living with HIV/AIDS, while the care centre will be managed by an NGO involved in similar activities in Bangalore and Hyderabad.

The speakers at the meeting, quoting statistics from newspapers, dwelt largely on the high level of awareness among people as the reason for the high reporting and incidence of HIV/AIDS in the State.

The Health Minister, S. Semmalai, also mentioned that the incidence of HIV/AIDS had been "controlled to a great extent", although data puts Tamil Nadu on the top of the list in the country.

In his testimony, Sekar, an HIV-positive person, said misconceptions still prevailed in society about the spread of HIV/AIDS. People should access correct information from Government agencies and NGOs.

Persons affected with HIV/AIDS too could lead a quality life, he added.

The Local Administration Minister, M. C. Sampath, the Deputy Mayor, `Karate' R.Thiagarajan, the Corporation Commissioner, M. Kalaivanan, and the Joint Commissioner (Health), A. Sukumaran, spoke. Later, beneficiaries and members of the various NGOs working in the field of AIDS control in the city presented cultural programmes portraying the dos and don'ts for prevention and control of infection.

The Health Minister also released a quarterly newsletter, Velicham, on the occasion.

Elsewhere, AIDS Prevention and Control Project, Voluntary Health Services, hoisted a giant gas balloon atop Kuralagam building carrying messages on the theme.

At an AIDS awareness signature campaign at Shoppers Stop in Chetpet, actress Revathi Suresh Menon, comedian Chinni Jayanth, Exnora founder M. B. Nirmal, musicians and other prominent persons participated.

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