Minister seeks NGOs help in AIDS, leprosy eradication

Kakinada, Jan 30 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Finance and Health Minister K Rosaiah today called upon the NGOs and spiritual organisations to extend their cooperation in eradicating AIDS, leprosy and polio.

Speaking at a programme to commemorate the 59th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, observed as Martyrs' Day, Mr Rosaiah paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation and said Bapuji himelf rendered service to the leprosy afflicted people.

The number of leprosy patients in the district was now brought down to 32 from 29,945 in 1987, he claimed.

After laying foundation stone for additional school rooms at Municipal High School under Sarva Siksha Abiyan and urban health centre, the minister said the government was implementing 25 paise interest loan for the overall development of women under self-help groups.

UNI