Comics by AIDS affected children

August 28, 2010

ALLAHABAD: In an attempt to offer relief to HIV+ children in city and dehat

areas from the social stigma they face, UNICEF with the help of UP Aids Control

Society is organising an exhibition of comics created by Children Affected By

AIDS ( CABA).

These children were able to create comics following training provided by World

Comics, India. These comics will be developed into panels and displayed by a

Lucknow based NGO in the Sangam city on August 31.

Dr Meesum SAM, assistant district programme officer, aids control, told TOI,

" Health authorities are sensitising people towards feelings of HIV positive

people.''

" Incidents of social boycott of HIV+ people are mainly reported in rural areas

and we have been making efforts to apprise people about the actual facts related

to HIV and AIDS, " said Dr Meesum, adding that experts from UNICEF and health

authorities are sensitising people on the disease.

Last year, an eight-year-old boy, along with his cousin, was ousted by school

authorities after the locals had mounted pressure on school authorities for the

same. After a series of educational and awareness camps, the health authorities

had managed to spread awareness and managed to make the villagers realise the

trauma being faced by the victims.

The officials of UP State Aids Control Society disclosed that till 2009, a total

of 49,832 HIV positive and 10,072 AIDS patients had been identified across the

state.

District magistrate, Allahabad, Sanjay Prasad said, " Sincere efforts are being

made to spread awareness about HIV\AIDS. Folk songs being performed by folk

troupes have become an effective tool to spread awareness.''

On Saturday, a play titled `Shifa' will be staged at NCZCC on stigma and

discrimination against people living with HIV\AIDS. The event would be held by

National School of Drama, Delhi, Bhartendu Natya Academy, and department of

culture, government of UP.

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