Mysore: Positive Habba Congregation of HIV+ patients

[Guest guest]

Congregation of HIV+ patients sending a strong

MYSORE: Everything was positive about it. Called the `Positive Habba', it was a

congregation of HIV+ patients sending a strong message to society: that they

are positive about life.

It was a celebration of life for over 400 persons affected by the deadly disease

at the festival organized by Ashodaya and Ashraya Samithi, the NGOs working for

rehabilitation of AIDS patients, on Saturday.

Sex workers from Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra,

Gujarat and West Bengal will be part of the two-day festival. It aims at making

them acceptable in society along with an access to health facilities..

" We also intend to send a message that there are people in the society who care

for them, " Fatima, an activist with Ashodaya, said claiming this is the first of

its kind programme in the world. State health secretary Madangopal inaugurated

the habba by signaling a torchlight parade. Madangopal said there is a need to

integrate medical services for HIV +ve patients at the PHC level.

The event will also address a range of issues, including marginalization,

discrimination and health problems faced by sex workers. Cultural events were

also organized in the evening.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mysore/Congregation-of-HIV-patients-sending-a\

-strong/articleshow/4330774.cms