Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai   

`Enhance support to HIV patients'

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI DEC. 2. The global theme of `Stigma and discrimination' in the context of HIV/AIDS was hotly debated throughout the city on the occasion of World AIDS Day on Monday.

In an attempt to remove the stigma surrounding the condition from the public consciousness, the Family Planning Association of India (Chennai branch) organised a seminar on the subject. Speakers stressed that the main objective was to enhance care and support for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Stigma and discrimination could be countered only when the right scientific and technical knowledge about the disease and the modes of contraction were in the public domain, experts felt.

Heads of schools, students and teachers, members of the community, persons living with HIV/AIDS and local leaders participated in the programme and shared their experiences. The Chennai Corporation deputy commissioner (education), D. P. Yadav, and the FPAI president, Ranjini Murugan, also spoke.

Students of the Nazareth College of Arts and Science, Avadi, staged a Tamil skit, `Yamalogathil AIDS', at the Avadi bus stand and market to create awareness among the public of the disease.

World AIDS day was observed at the Integral Coach Factory here, with school children, scouts and personnel of the St. John Ambulance taking out a rally. The ICF Financial Adviser, S. Subramhanyan, emphasised the special role of children in combating AIDS. A multi-pronged approach was essential to meet the challenges posed by HIV.

The rallyists, led by the Senior Divisional Medical Officer, ICF, Vidhyasekhar, took a pledge to prevent the spread of AIDS.

A campaign, organised by the Madras Christian Council of Social Service, was inaugurated by P. Guhanandam, UNICEF representative, near the Labour statue on the Marina. The city branch of the National School of Events conducted a campaign, focussing on students of colleges.

NCC cadets felicitated

NCC cadets, who recently undertook a 12-day AIDS awareness expedition on motorbikes across Tamil Nadu, were felicitated at the New College in Royapettah. A press note issued by the college NSS unit said those who felicitated the team included the MLA, Radharavi, and the NSS Director, Col. S. Shankar. Students of the Jaigopal Garodia Government Girls Higher Secondary School took out a rally.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Security checks under way in public places
• `Put up display boards with full details'
• `DTH will ensure transparency'
• Govt. seeks Central aid for reviving Guindy industrial units
• Workshop on coastal management
• Army cycle expedition flagged off
• 2 houses burgled
• Clinic to treat retina degeneration coming up
• Metrowater caution
• Meet on dietetics from December 5
• `Enhance support to HIV patients'
• Kolathur residents stage demo
• `State should woo pharmaceutical industries'
• Docu-drama on RV

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu