Andhra breaks AIDS silence

[Guest guest]

Andhra breaks AIDS silence

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Hyderabad, July 31: Traffic on the chaotic roads of the city ground

to a halt yesterday noon, commuters blew horns, bells tolled in

temples, churches and schools and sirens rang all over the state as

part of a programme to spread awareness about the virus.

For nearly two minutes the noise levels in Andhra Pradesh, home to

5.1 million people infected by HIV, beat all records to spread

awareness about safe sex and safe blood transfusions.

In all major towns, officials and schoolteachers led the anti-AIDS

brigade by taking an oath to spread the message, as part of a

monthlong drive organised by AIDS Awareness for Sustained and

Holistic Action that focused on urban slums and rural areas.

The state government organised a massive rally led by film

personalities — in which several people with full-blown AIDS

participated — that ended at the Yusufguda stadium in Hyderabad.

The campaign caravans slated to tour 250 towns of the state for the

next two months also kicked off from the stadium. " I wish more such

campaigns are held in villages and district towns, where the threat

is greater, " said actor Jayasudha.

" We should not be ashamed and afraid of talking about HIV/AIDS, "

Union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss said at a public meeting

organised here as part of the concluding programme of the awareness

drive. The only vaccine against the virus is education, he said and

called for the use of condoms.

Ramadoss spelt out five commandments for the youth. The minister

urged youths to delay sex till marriage, insist on voluntary HIV

tests before marriage, stick to monogamy, not share syringes and

accept only HIV-tested blood for transfusion.

The minister's views were echoed by 22-year-old Prakash. " My

generation needs more of this knowledge and awareness on the use of

condoms, " said the youth who participated in the campaign at the RTC

crossroads in the state capital.

" We see it in ads and also on TV these days. However, very few

understand its significance. Condoms must become part of our life, "

said 25-year-old Padmavati, a shop assistant.

Andhra ranks as the sixth highest among HIV prevalent states in

India with 18 of 23 districts reporting over 2.5 per cent HIV among

urban women. There are 7,320 full-blown cases of AIDS and two

million HIV-positive people, said a recent survey.

" Prakasham district alone recorded an all-time high of 4 per cent

prevalence in urban population and 2.25 per cent among rural women, "

said a senior government official involved in the fight against the

disease.

" Andhra Pradesh has witnessed suicides by 32 HIV-positive persons,

including women and children during the year, " said the official.

The state has enlisted over 125 non-government organisations for

creating awareness against AIDS and for pushing for the sale of

condoms at liquor shops, pan shops and milk and vegetable outlets.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050801/asp/nation/story_5058595.asp