AIDS takes an alarming proportion: Nitish

Patna, Dec 01 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today admitted that AIDS cases were increasing at an alarming rate and only awareness can help to prevent the disease.

On the occasion of World AIDS Day, Mr Kumar said here that a lot of misconception was prevailing in the society about the disease and a coordinated effort was essential to sensitise people, especially younger generation.

''People still feel AIDS was a contagious disease,'' he said and appealed to the public and panchayat representatives to cooperate in the mission against the deadly disease.

Bihar Governor R.S.Gavai, while addressing on the occasion, said, ''Observing the day as "World AIDS Day" was a pointer that everyone should be sensitive towards the disease and we had great sympathy for the affected people.'' The day was being observed to fix the role and responsibilities of panchayat and public representatives in controlling the spreading of AIDS. The government has decided to empowermer women and increase people's participation in the mission, he said adding that self control and safety would only save people from this disease.

Meanwhile, several functions were organised at both government and private platforms to mark the day during which the actvists tried to create awareness about it among the people.

The number of HIV positive cases have increased to 10,143 from 28 in 2001. According to official figures, 127 people have died of AIDS since 2001. Five years ago, there were no known cases of HIV positive cases among children but currently it is 226, including 145 boys.

The official report put a sorry figure stating that 20-25 HIV positive cases were being detected every month, mainly in eight districts of the state, including East and West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Purnia, Khagaria and Kishanganj.

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