Date:25/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/25/stories/2006012520560200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

New York-based NGO to launch AIDS project in city

Special Correspondent

Project could be pursued on pilot basis

Chest Hospital superintendent asked to work out detailed report
Government to participate in project by contributing 15-20 per cent as its share
Request for land, construction cost and operational expenses
Chest Hospital superintendent asked to work out detailed report
Government to participate in project by contributing 15-20 per cent as its share

Request for land, construction cost and operational expenses

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy on Tuesday agreed to a proposal made by Volunteers of America, a New York-based voluntary organisation, to set up a "India HIV/AIDS Project Home" and suggested that it could be taken up as a pilot project in the city and Guntur. He asked the Chest Hospital superintendent K.Venu to examine registering an organisation by involving NGOs/philanthropists and work out a detailed report for establishing the home here.

Dr. Reddy made a similar request to R.Sambasiva Rao, MP, for setting up an organisation at Guntur. The Government, according to a press release issued by the Chief Minister's Office, would participate in the project by contributing 15 to 20 per cent as its share.

Detailed proposal

He wanted Mr. Sambasiva Rao and V.Hanumanth Rao, MP, and members of the organisation, who met him, to have discussions with Principal Secretary, Health, I.V.Subba Rao, and AIDS Control Society Project Director K.Damayanti for coming out with a comprehensive proposal.

Members of the organisation consisting of its President-CEO Richard P.Motta, division director Mid Hudson, NRI Siva Kumar and two MPs met the Chief Minister at his camp office.

They offered to set up the project by providing a residential service for adults and families who have HIV/AIDS virus.The service would provide training and case management services eight hours a day, five days a week to the affected individuals and their families.

The organisation requested the Chief Minister to provide land for constructing a 32,000 sq ft facility, a one-time construction cost of Rs.4.5 crores and the first year's operational expenses of Rs.3.5 crores.