Date:24/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/24/stories/2006012403350300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Others

Namakkal intensifies AIDS awareness campaign

Staff Reporter

Training programme for SHG members begins

District ranks third after Theni and Karur in the number of incidences Women role in preventing the disease stressed

NAMAKKAL: Collector V.M. Xavier Chrisso Nayagam has appealed to the self-help group (SHG) members in the district to co-operate with the district administration's efforts in controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS in the district.

Inaugurating a two-day training programme on HIV/AIDS for the SHG members organised by the `Mahalir Thittam' here on Monday, he asked the SHG members to train women in the villages on creating awareness on HIV/AIDS.

Rural areas

They should ensure that all the people in the rural areas in the district were aware of HIV/AIDS and the prevention methods.

The district administration had intensified its HIV/AIDS awareness campaign to make sure that no one contracted the disease in the future. Women could play an important role in preventing the spread of the disease, he said.

The district was ranked third after Theni and Karur in the State in the number of HIV/AIDS cases, he added.

About 30 SHG members, two from each block of the district, were attending the training programme.

Project Officer of the `Mahalir Thittam' A. Palanisamy and PA to Collector (Development) A. Vital Das were present.

Loan assistance

Later, as a part of the rehabilitation activities, the Collector distributed a sum of Rs. 35 lakhs as loan assistance to prohibition offenders. A total of 350 prohibition offenders were given a loan of Rs. 10,000 each to take up business activities.

Fifty instalments

The loan amount had to be repaid in 50 instalments

District Revenue Officer V. Rajaraman and Assistant Commissioner of Excise A.K.A. Thaiyall were present.