Three AIDS patients were reportedly killed in AP

[Guest guest]

Dear forum members,

According to the a news item posted on http://health.sify.com/

" Three AIDS patients were reportedly killed under the limits of

Tekupalli and Yellandu mandals of Khammam district in Andhrapradesh.

The deaths were recorded as natural ones. Such incidents are

increasing in the agency areas of the district " .

[Will it be possible for some of the forum members from AP to enquire

about the details of this news item? Thanks. Moderator]

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Incidence of AIDS is on the rise in the agency areas of Khammam

district in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The first case

of AIDS in Bhadrachalam division was registered in 1991. Attracted by

big money, sex workers of the area are moving to cities like Mumbai

and Goa and have become more susceptible to the disease.

When they return, they are already infected and their local clients

become prey to the dreaded disease.

Six persons who had their blood tested at a diagnostic centre at

Bhadrachalam were found to be HIV positive.

On discovering that they were affected by the disease they are

gripped with fear of being socially ostracized. Five HIV cases were

registered in Bhadrachalam and Burgampahad constituencies this year.

Similarly, another 20 HIV cases came to light at private nursing

homes in Yellandu and Kothagudem. It is believed that many more cases

are yet to be detected.

The malady of AIDS has also started creating panic in the area. It

has also led to behavioral changes among the patients. While some

patients prefer to end their lives, others are fleeing their homes.

Some patients prefer to wait for the inevitable. They do not show any

interest to mix with the people.

Chatti and Chidumuru villages of Chinturu mandal have become high-

risk areas in recent times. Prostitution has become rampant in these

villages, which serve as transit point for trucks coming from various

States. The truck drivers visit sex workers making themselves prone

to the disease.

The number of persons who had died of AIDS has increased in Yellandu,

Karepalli, Tekupalli, Garla Bayyaram mandals over the past one year.

A similar situation is prevailing in the agency areas of the

districts.

Three AIDS patients were reportedly killed under the limits of

Tekupalli and Yellandu mandals. The deaths were recorded as

natural ones. Such incidents are increasing in the agency

areas of the district " .

Source: http://health.sify.com/

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