The Hindu : National : Rally taken out in Chennai in support of HIV Bill in Parliament

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Monday, May 19, 2008
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Rally taken out in Chennai in support of HIV Bill in Parliament

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Scores of HIV-infected people, volunteers and students took part in a rally organised as part of the 25th International AIDS Candle Light Memorial Day and Global AIDS Week Action observed here on Sunday.

The participants raised slogans demanding that the HIV Bill be passed in Parliament.

The International Candle Light Memorial day falls on the third Sunday of May. Communities across the world host memorials for those who have died of HIV and pledge support to those living with it. This year’s theme was ‘Never Give up. Never forget.’

Candle lit

Supriya Sahu, Project Director, Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society, lit a huge candle before the rally started from near the Kannagi statue on Kamarajar Salai.

The day is not only meant to remember those who lost their life to AIDS but also to ensure the human rights of those living with HIV, so that they could access the services without any fear of stigma and discrimination, the organisers said.

According to the National AIDS Control Organisation, there is a decline in the number of HIV-infected persons in Tamil Nadu. Yet, providing them access to treatment and services remains a challenge what with stigma, the lack of awareness and the non-availability of services in some areas.

Tabling the Bill in Parliament will ensure that HIV-positive people have better access to services, the organisers said.

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