Pension scheme to be extended to 74,000 more patients: Ministers Alla Nani
Vijayawada: Stating that the government would extend all kinds of co-operation to the AIDS/HIV patients in the State, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Health and Family Welfare Alla Nani has said the government is contemplating to sanction pension to another 74,000 AIDS patients in the State.
He said the government is so far sanctioning Rs 2,250 pension to 34,000 AIDS patients in the State and added that this benefit will be extended to another 74,000 HIV patients. Alla Nani was the chief guest at a programme organised in connection with the World AIDS Day at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram here on Sunday.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said the NGOs have made lot of contribution to dispel the stigma in the society about the HIV/AIDS patients and desease. He said earlier HIV infected patients used to commit suicides due to various reasons.
He said now many drugs were available to enhance the lifespan of the HIV patients and they need not worry about their health. The Minister said the government was distributing ART drugs and nutritious foods to the HIV patients free of cost and extending moral support.
He said doctors and staff working in the government hospitals, area hospitals, PHCs and ART centres were providing treatment and extending co-operation to the HIV patients.
Dr Samaram said the number of AIDS cases were rapidly declining over the years due to increasing awareness among the people and the collective efforts of the government, NGOs and the people. He regretted that the youth in the age group of 16 to 24 were affected with the AIDS/HIV.
He said that efforts were being made to root out AIDS in the State by 2030. Endowment Minister Vellampalli Srinivas, Vijayawada Central MLA Malladi Vishnu, Andhra Pradesh State Aids Control Society Project Director Dr Aruna, APD Dr Vasanta Kumari and others spoke on the occasion. Nutrition kits were distributed to some AIDS patients and cultural programmes were organised on the occasion.