AP Govt to take up HIV/AIDS awareness campaign

Hyderabad, Jun 21 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Government will take up a vigorous mass movement to spread more awareness on HIV/AIDS.

While reviewing the progress of AIDS awareness campaign with Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society Project Director Asok Kumar today, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said AIDS should be treated as a social issue and every citizen of the state should show responsibility in fighting it.

He said the government was planning to open more care and support centres for HIV/AIDS patients in different parts of the state to extend support.

This will be in addition to the existing 35 care and support system and eight drop-in centres. They act as a bridge between home and hospital and provide care when needed, Mr Kumar apprised the Chief Minister on the deliberations at the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) meeting.

He proposed the government increase the number of integrated counselling and testing centres in the state from the existing 300 to 600.

About 5.6 lakh people in the 15-49 years age group were estimated to be affected by HIV/AIDS in the state which had one of the highest number of infected persons in the country.

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