Southern States can win battle against AIDS

Hyderabad, Jan 5: The Southern States, which are having better health indicators, can win the battle against HIV/AIDS.

Expressing this optimism, Andhra Pradesh State Aids Control Society Project Director G Ashok Kumar said though incidence of HIV/AIDS had assumed epidemic proportions in these states, they had the potential to 'win the battle against the dreaded disease' by stepping up the 'be bold campaign,' particularly among youth.

The Southern States were at the crossroads now with 80 per cent of the infected in the productive age group 15 to 45, he said, opening a workshop 'HIV/AIDs-Global and Indian situation with special reference to southern states' organised by the Union and State Governments.

Referring to the Botswana experience, where life expectancy had come down from 61 years to 35 years, he said in 90 per cent of cases in India, the disease had spread because of unprotected sex. He underscored the need for discouraging promiscuity among the general public, even while advocating safe sex.

With politicans including Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy undergoing tests for AIDS, there was a tremendous response among the people. 'The number of persons getting tested has increased from 10,000 to 71,000 per week', he added.

Highlighting the steps taken by the State Government, he said the state was the first to launch a partners forum to fight against HIV/AIDS menace. A range of organisations, including the National AIDS Control Organisation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, formed the core of the forum.

UNI