The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Pension sought for AIDS patients

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Wednesday, Mar 26, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Pension sought for AIDS patients

Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

Doing their bit: Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy inaugurating the State level convention on combating HIV-AIDS, in Assembly on Tuesday. -

HYDERABAD: The AP Legislators Forum on HIV-AIDS (APLFA) has urged Government to provide free bus passes to HIV patients on anti-retroviral therapy and 10 per cent budgetary allocation in local bodies for taking up HIV-AIDS issues and special schemes.

Forum convener S. Sailajanath submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy at a convention of zilla parishad and municipal chairpersons and Mayors here on Tuesday.

Other suggestions included pension to patients, special schemes for their welfare and an end to discrimination in treatment, incentives for non-discrimination and punishment to erring doctors.

A. Chakrapani, Chairman of the Legislative Council, and Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy urged people’s representatives to gram panchayat level to spread AIDS awareness.

Mr. Chakrapani said the convention’s purpose was to drive home the message on how simple it was to avoid getting the HIV virus. “Please take this message to people.

It is our responsibility to show them that it is just a matter of self-control and discipline”.

The fact that the convention was held at the Central Hall demonstrated the seriousness of the forum, Mr. Suresh Reddy said. He urged the legislators to take time for spreading awareness.

Panchayat Raj Minister J.C. Diwakar Reddy reiterated that elected representatives should start every meeting they attend with a one-minute message on spreading HIV/AIDS awareness.

The convention was jointly organised by the forum, AP State AIDS Control Society, Lepra Society and UN AID Organisation. Earlier, J.V.D.S. Prasad from Tirupati made a 30-minute presentation on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.

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Andhra Pradesh