Global AIDS Week of Action begins in Tamil Nadu - Aim is to ensure quality treatment of and support for persons living with HIV/AIDS

[Guest guest]

Global AIDS Week of Action begins

Aim is to ensure quality treatment of and support for persons living with

HIV/AIDS

The campaign is also aimed at fighting discrimination against victims Government

urged to come up with social security schemes

WHOLE-HEARTED PARTICIPATION: Volunteers at a candle light ceremony at Thiru V.

Ka. Park in Shenoy Nagar in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: A collective of non-governmental organisations working among persons

living with HIV/AIDS, sex workers and transgenders took part in a candle light

ceremony held here on Saturday to mark the commencement of the Global AIDS Week

of Action.

The campaign is aimed at ensuring quality treatment of and support for persons

living with HIV/AIDS, especially in the State, according to A.J. Hariharan,

chairperson, TamilNadu AIDS Solidarity Action (TASA).

He said persons living with HIV/AIDS were demanding that the Government provide

nutrition supplements, along with antiretroviral drugs. Another important part

of the campaign was to fight the discrimination against AIDS victims.

" More funds needed "

Esther selvam, programme manager, Action Aid India, said the campaign

should end all human rights violations against the persons living with HIV/AIDS

and women. More funds would have to be allocated to address the battle against

the virus. The Government should come up with social security schemes for the

persons living with the HIV.

Noorie, secretary, TASA, and A. Bhakthavatsalam, vice-chairperson, TASA,

addressed the participants of the ceremony that was held in Thiru. Vi. Ka. Park

at Shenoy Nagar.Actor Prashanth lit the first candle and inaugurated the

campaign.

Over 150 people lit candles at Abhirami Mega mall on Sunday evening to mark the

passing away of people with HIV/AIDS.

Positive Women Network (PWN+) organised the programme in association with Satyam

Foundation, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) group of Satyam Computers.

S. Swaminathan, general manager, Satyam Computer, said: " Within the CSR group,

we have a red ribbon club on AIDS awareness. We chose a mall as the young have

misconceptions about AIDS. Satyam has an AIDS workplace policy against

discrimination of HIV positive. "

About 20 employees and their families were at the mall interacting with

volunteers from PWN+.

A street play was also staged.

Source:The Hindu,Chennai,May 21,2007

___________________

Forwarded by :

----------------------------

Yours in Global Concern

A.SANKAR

www.empowerindia.org