Only five legislators attend meeting on awareness of AIDS

Bangalore, May 11 (UNI) Lack of concern among the elected representatives from Karnataka to spread awareness of HIV or AIDS in the state, which is ranked high in the country with regard to the prevalence of the dreaded disease, today came to the fore with hardly five of the 29 members attending a meeting of the legislators forum on HIV/AIDS.

The government had formed the forum in April to enlist their support in spreading the awareness on HIV or AIDS, and to take up the issue seriously through available platforms.

The second meeting of the forum convened today had participation of only from nominated members Ivan Nigli, Manohar Maski, Film Actor Srinath and Dr M P Nadagowda and M Srinivas. Chief Minsiter H D Kumaraswamy who was to preside over the meeting also could not make it.

Minister for Health R Ashok, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Mr Kumaraswamy, said the spread of AIDS virus was showing down trend with percentage coming down to 1.11 from 1.7 last year. The state housed about five lakh affected by the dreaded disease with 73,573 tested positive. So far the disease, which has no cure has claimed 877 lives in the state.

The Minister warned the hospitals against showing any discripency in treating the affected pattients. ''The state government's aim is to make Karnataka AIDS free state within next five years and legislators, who would be in constant touch with the people, should make all out effort in creating awareness against the dreaded disease.'' He said a candle light condolence meeting would be held in Bangalore on June 17 to pay homage to those who died due to AIDS.

UNI