‘Help make India AIDS-free country’

Visakhapatnam: Andhra University Vice-Chancellor Prof G Nageswara Rao said that the youth should play a crucial role in educating public about the dreaded disease AIDS to help make India an AIDS-free country.

Addressing the students and youth at a meeting organised on the World AIDS Day at the Andhra University Assembly Hall on Thursday, the Vice-Chancellor said that many people died of the dreaded disease earlier when it was not identified medically. He felt it is necessary to infuse confidence among the HIV-inflicted about the medicines available which increases the life span.

At the same time, he underscored the need for taking necessary care for not inflicting disease to others. As a society, we all must respect the AIDS patients by giving necessary courage which itself act as strength, he added. Additional Joint Collector D V Reddy said that 29,500 cases of HIV were registered and as a social stigma, many patients are not coming forward to take medicines adding that medicines will increase the life span.

Additional DM&HO Dr Ramesh disclosed that of the total 30,000 AIDS patients, only 12,000 were taking medicines and advised to come forward for screening tests without any hesitation or social stigma. President of Positive Network Lakshmi said that she was inflicted with disease in 2008 and lost her husband and a child. “I am now leading life with the encouragement of neighbours and family members,” she added. District Malaria Officer Dr Prasad and District TB Control Officer Dr Vasundhara also spoke.

Later, representatives of voluntary bodies, Asha workers and ANMs who worked for AIDS control were given mementos. Earlier, a massive awareness rally was taken out from the Gandhi statue to the meeting venue in which DM&HO Dr J Sarojini, KGH superintendent Dr C Arjun, Seven Hills nursing staff and students of Prema Nursing School participated.