GENERAL Rodrigues calls for crusade against AIDS

Chandigarh, Nov 30 (UNI) Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Union Territory Administrator, General (Retd) S F Rodrigues has called for launching a crusade against AIDS.

In a message on the eve of World AIDS Day, he stressed the need to tackle AIDS through a systematic process with focus on massive public support. It is no longer a mission but a war to check a serious threat to society, he said.

Highlighting the World AIDS Day theme ''Take the lead; Stop AIDS; keep the promise'', General Rodrigues said that this is an inspiring message for all to actively participate in combating this formidable challenge.

He expressed concern over the increasing HIV cases and potential risks, especially in women and children, despite concerted campaigns launched against it at various levels.

He said the situation was alarming not only in India but at the global level and required enormous effort and commitment at all levels to check it.

''We must restructure our plans and programmes to effectively control it on a regional basis'', he added.

The administration will do its best to provide infrastructural support and help genuine voluntary organisations, individuals and philanthropists in this endeavour, he said.

General Rodrigues said prevalence of AIDS among local population in Chandigarh could not be underestimated as a large number of people from adjoining states and migratory labour visit the city.

He called upon medical fraternity and social voluntary organisations to adopt a multi-prolonged strategy to cover our population at the grass root level for early detection of HIV cases and taking remedial steps.

General Rodrigues appealed to the academics and intellectuals to generate public awareness in order to strengthen the mass movement against this dreaded disease.

UNI