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The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss has kicked off a Nation-wide sustained holistic action campaign for “Defeating AIDS” in Hyderabad yesterday. After attending a function related to what is called “:AASHA” – AIDS awareness and Sustained holistic Action” programme in Hyderabad, he said similar such campaigns will soon be launched in Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and in other High AIDS prevalent States. He said that it is unfortunate that there is high prevalence of AIDS in Andhra Pradesh. The Minister urged the State government, to take full advantage of the scheme to modernise all blood banks in the country. He said several AIDS control facilities, such as treatment of opportunistic infection, voluntary consultancy and testing, will be extended upto sub-district hospital, CHCs from this year onwards in the State. Dr. Ramadoss also informed the media that the AASHA Vahini, which is a fleet of vehicles with audiovisual equipment with other campaign facilities that have been launched in AP, would be expanded to other parts of the country.
The Minister, after launching the partnership forum for fighting AIDS, said that National Council on AIDS had already been formed under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, considering AIDS as a development issue and not merely a public health problem. He said that Thailand had set an example by reducing the HIV/AIDS prevalence from 16 to 1 per cent. Dr. Ramadoss said that the economies of some South African countries are collapsing as the dreaded disease has mostly affected people in the age group of 14 to 50.
The Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi appreciated the efforts taken by State government on AASHA programme. She said that the UPA government at the Centre is committed to provide quality health service to the people.
The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Y.S. Rajesekhar Reddy who gave his address at the function attended by over ten thousand gathering, said that the State government proposes introduction of lessons on AIDS from sixth standard onwards.
The Union Health Minister and the Chief Minister later launched condom vending machines, while the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare had inaugurated an exhibition on AIDS. Five hundred similar condom vending machines are being set at various parts of the city. These machines would deliver condoms for a five-rupee coin inserted in the machine.
Most parts of the city of Hyderabad spread the messages on defeating the AIDS in form of flags, banners, hoardings etc.
DB/NSR
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