Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Shaking away AIDS shackles

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA, NOV. 30. "I was very close to my father. He was more like a friend. He died an untimely death, leaving me shattered. But I have learnt to live, to fulfil his dreams and tell others how to overcome grief," said a sobbing Kumari.

The girl is doing Intermediate second year in a local college. She broke down as she explained how she lost her father to a `mysterious' ailment that had made him "weak" over a couple of years.

Stunned by stigma

Lakshmi of Penamaluru had a similar tale to narrate. Her husband's death due to the HIV virus prompted her to retire into a shell, shunning society. What followed was worse.

"Myself and my two daughters also tested positive. I was afraid of facing the world due to the stigma attached to the disease. However, I regained my confidence after coming in contact with scores of others leading a normal life even while battling the dreaded virus," she said. The cases of Kumari and Lakshmi came to the fore at an interactive session with the mediapersons, organised by the Vasavya Mahila Mandali, a local NGO, on the eve of World AIDS Day, here on Tuesday.

"Success stories of people like Kumari and Lakshmi should be propagated by media in the right perspective so as to send positive signals among public," noted doctor, Samaram, observed. Pointing out that the stocks of anti-retro-viral drugs supplied by the State Government were inadequate he sought the supply of those drugs on subsidized rates. He also emphasised the importance of proper diet for an HIV-afflicted person.

Hope beckons

"Public acceptance indicates a change in the mindset of people. The virus which was known to be fatal is being dubbed as a `medically manageable' suggesting that the lifespan of an AIDS-afflicted person can be prolonged," he added.

The All India Radio, Vijayawada Station Director, P. Vedavathi, said a survey showed that women AIDS victims outnumber men.

Former MP and president of the VMM, Chennupati Vidya, the secretary, G. Rashmi and Dr. Deeksha participated

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