Call to make AP free of HIV/AIDS before 2030

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh State Planning Board vice chairman Malladi Vishnu wants AP made HIV / AIDS-free even before the targeted year of 2030 by creating awareness among high-risk groups vulnerable to the disease.

Taking part in a programme to mark World Aids Day here on Thursday held under the joint aegis of AP State Aids Control Society (APSACS) and department of health, medical and family welfare, the planning board vice chairman administered to participants the following pledge:

“We will carry out awareness on HIV / AIDS and take part in its prevention.”

Malladi Vishnu became first to sign the pledge. He underlined that those infected with HIV / AIDS are being provided all government support – be it supply of nutritious diet, antiretroviral therapy, pensions, house sites and other welfare schemes.

Later, the vice chairman gave away cheques of ₹1lakh each to six infected persons, who are being supported by the tribal welfare department.

APSACS project director G.S. Naveen Kumar said AP stands first in the country in preventing spread of HIV / AIDS with consistent efforts towards bringing down the prevalence and mortality rates of the disease. Naveen Kumar said they are taking up “Safe Life” campaign in all educational institutions to bring awareness within younger generations on preventing HIV / AIDS and avoiding discrimination of those infected with the disease.

APSACS director underlined that good dietary habits, physical fitness, yoga and change in lifestyle helps people deal with the health hazard. The infected should also be careful about non-communicable diseases like blood sugar, blood pressure and cancer from their young age.

Marking the World Aids Day, Naveen Kumar earlier flagged off a rally from Eluru Locks, which culminated at the Tummalapalli Kalakshetram.