The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Getting benefits still a challenge for HIV patients

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Getting benefits still a challenge for HIV patients

Staff Reporter

KARUR: It is still a challenge for HIV affected persons to receive services and benefits due to them. Steps to create awareness in society in general and among the AIDS/HIV affected in particular must be taken to improve the situation, said speakers at a workshop organised by the ‘Karur District Network for Positive People’ here recently.

Addressing the workshop on “Striving to secure due services to the HIV affected,” District Revenue Officer Jawahar Shanthakumar promised that the administration would extend all help to the patients in their fight for leading a dignified life.

Network’s district chairperson K. Padmavathy pointed to the need for educating the positives first. It was important to understand their needs and then place the demands or utilise the available services. Also of importance was making people in the high-risk category understand their precarious position and help them stave off the deadly syndrome.

According to a recent nation-wide study conducted by the National AIDS Control Society, the incidence of AIDS has declined in Tamil Nadu. However, the positives continued to find it difficult in accessing services and benefits from the Governments or other agencies, she said and called for concerted efforts to address the situation.

Ms. Padmavathy said the workshop was part of a national series being organised by the ‘Indian Network for Positives’ in 102 districts in the high-risk category in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Manipur.

Deputy Director of Health and Family Welfare K. Sadasivam was among those who spoke on the occasion.

Secretary of the Network for Positives R. Uma proposed a vote of thanks.

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