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Monitoring essential to check spread of HIV/AIDS, says Minister

Staff Reporter

Launches communication campaign in Karur district

NEED OF THE HOUR: Forest Minister N. Selvaraj speaking at a district level communication campaign on HIV/AIDS prevention in Karur on Wednesday.

KARUR: Monitoring the incidence of HIV/AIDS, especially in areas where there is a large labour force involving both male and female workers, is essential in curtailing the spread of the dreaded syndrome, Forest Minister, N. Selvaraj, has said.

A vital aspect in managing the situation is effective communication dissemination in particular on the effects of the disease on the affected, their families and the society at large, he said.

The Minister called upon non-Governmental organisations to intensify their endeavours to contain the disease.

"Self-control important"

Self-control was essential in every person, be it male or female, and that formed the basis of preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, Mr. Selvaraj underlined.

The Minister added that the State Government was also doing its bit to tackle the situation through publicity campaigns.

The Minister was launching a district-level communication campaign on HIV/AIDS here on Wednesday.

Number of victims

Significantly, the Collector, T.N. Venkatesh, claimed that the incidence of HIV/AIDS in the district, bracketed as among the high-risk category, was low with just 1,670 people having been identified as afflicted by the syndrome.

Of the 12,438 people who underwent blood test at the voluntary testing and counselling centres, 1,434 persons have tested positive and another 116 expectant women have also tested positive.

Sustained publicity campaign would help contain the spread of HIV/AIDS, the Collector felt.

The district administration would support private initiatives in that direction, Mr. Venkatesh said.

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