Laws soon against stigma of HIV/AIDS patients: Dr Anbumani

Chennai, Aug 26 (UNI) The Centre would bring in legislations in the Winter Session of Parliament against stigma and discrimination of people suffering from HIV, AIDS, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss announced today.

Speaking at a programme on 'Mainstreaming Red Ribbon Clubs (RRC) in Higher Education Institutions' organised by the Tamil nadu AIDS Control Society (TANSACS) at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan, he said, ''the legislation would ensure no HIV positive person suffered discrimination in education, schools and hospitals.'' He said under the third phase of the National AIDS Control Programme, a high intensity programme had been launched at a total outlay of Rs 12,000 crore.

This amount would be spent in the next five years in HIV/AIDS control and management. Eighty per cent of the funds would be used for prevention.

Complimenting Tamil Nadu Governor S S Barnala and the Tamil Nadu State Aids Control Society (TANSACS) for being the first to initiate the RRC Programme in the state, Dr Anbumani said young people were at the cutting edge of HIV prevention in the country. ''Their role is crucial to stem the spread of HIV-AIDS'', he added.

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