Date:13/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/13/stories/2006121313610300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Others

"They deserve our affection"

Staff Reporter

Create awareness of AIDS: Collector

VIRUDHUNAGAR: Transmission of AIDS from pregnant mothers to babies could be prevented with advanced medical techniques, the Collector, S.S. Jawahar, has said.

Speaking at a function organised to mark the World AIDS Day here on Tuesday, he said that 5 lakh people, including 3 lakh pregnant women, were affected by AIDS in the State.

"The newborn babies should be treated within 72 hours after their birth to prevent transmission of AIDS," he said.

Thirty counselling centres were functioning in the State to give psychological support to AIDS-affected people. Stating that AIDS was not a contagious disease, he said that people should treat all people affected with AIDS equally.

"Such people deserve our love and affection," Mr. Jawahar said.

The awareness of AIDS and related facts should be created among the people, especially youngsters, he said.

The Superintendent of Government hospital here, S.S. Sakunthala, the Deputy Director (Health), M.J. Basheer Ahmed, the Deputy Director (Tuberculosis control programme) Nirmala Devi and Deputy Director (Leprosy) Arunachalam, spoke.

Earlier, the Collector flagged off an AIDS awareness cycle rally taken out by the students of K.V.S. Higher Secondary School.