India in third place in number of AIDS patients: Additional JC K Narendra Kumar

Ongole: Additional Joint Collector of the Prakasam district K Narendra Prasad said that India was in the third position in the world with a large number of AIDS patients, as per the NACO statistics.

He participated in the 31st World AIDS Day program organised by the District AIDS prevention and control unit and advised everyone to be part of the movement to eradicate the AIDS disease from India, on Sunday.

The Joint Collector-II said that there is no cure for AIDS and the people affected with the disease will lose their immunity soon. He advised the officials concerned to take up special programs to create awareness on the disease and its prevention.

He announced that 90 PHCs and 14 CHCs, government general hospitals conduct AIDS tests in the district. He advised the youth to be disciplined and not fall prey to the disease. The Additional Director of Medical and Health Dr K Padmavathi said that the NACO and DAPCU were working for the control and prevention of the AIDS in the state and district respectively. She said that Prakasam district stands in 5th position in the state with 43731 patients.

Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy flagged off the HIV AIDS awareness rally conducted by the STEP in the morning. The STEP CEO PV Narayana, DMHO Dr B Vinod Kumar, DPM Ranga Rao, and other officers also participated in the program.