Date:16/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/16/stories/2007121660480600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

HIV-hit people take out rally

Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM: People afflicted by HIV took out a rally on the beach road on Saturday to create awareness on the dreaded disease.

The rally, flagged off by Visakha-I MLA Dronamraju Srinivasa Rao, was aimed at sensitising the people suffering from HIV/AIDS to support each other to lead a normal life and fighting against the spread of the disease. Some 80 members belonging to the Society of Visakha Network for Positive Plus took part.

Additional District Medical and Health Officer (leprosy and AIDS) P. Rajendra Prasad said the affected community was given moral and financial support through various voluntary and government agencies to have nutritional supplements and take up income-generation opportunities. He said support was also being extended to render them periodical check-up.

Several para-medical officers and social workers attended.