Allahabad: HIV+ people hold rally

January 28, 2007

HIV+ people hold rally

HT Live Correspondent

Allahabad, January 27: It was a rare show of courage and strength put

up by the HIV positive people on the banks of Sangam. Over 300 men

and women suffering from HIV collected at the Directorate of Field

Publicity camp at Lal Sadak, Ardh Kumbh Mela and took out a rally

under the banner of UP Network of Positive People, on Saturday.

District Magistrate Amrit Abhijat flagged off the rally. The

participants carrying HIV awareness posters and banners, reached

Sangam and offered prayer for the well-being of other HIV patients.

Earlier, the DM released a poster of HIV positive people at the field

publicity camp. The poster containing real photos of HIV positive

people gave the message that they don't need to feel embarrassed

about their disease and, like others, they also have the right to

lead a normal life.

On the occasion, Amrit Abhijat said it was indeed a brave step taken

by the HIV positive people to spread awareness about HIV and remove

social stigma associated with the disease.

The society should also come forward in the rehabilitation of HIV

positive people. " They have all the rights to lead a normal life like

other people. The Network of Positive People is spreading light about

the rights of HIV positive people. The society should support their

efforts, " he said.

UP State AIDS Control Society joint director RP Mathur said they were

planning to open ART centres at Allahabad, Gorakhpur and different

other districts of UP for the treatment of HIV positive patients.

Director, Field Publicity AM Singh said the HIV positive people have

shown a lot of courage by organising their programme, openly in the

public. Till a year back the HIV positive people used to meet

secretly, but now they have become aware of their rights, he said.

UP Network of Positive People president Naresh Yadav said HIV

positive person should openly discuss about his disease with his

family members. He also highlighted the different features of MAP

(Men As Partner in the Prevention of HIV) programme.

The programme was also attended by chief medical officer Dr Shantimal

Singhavi, District AIDS Control Programme Officer Dr Kalim Akmal and

other health department officials.

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