AIDS Prevention in Madhya Pradesh

[Guest guest]

Intensify AIDS control efforts, says Digvijay

THE TIMES OF INDIA NEWS SERVICE. MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2001

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh has called upon

the state's AIDS control committee and NGOs to intensify the efforts

for AIDS control.

Minister for Health and Public Relations Subhash Sojatia and

officials concerned met the chief minister and apprised him of the

AIDS control activities in the state. Sojatia pinned a badge on the

Singh symbolising the continued fight against AIDS.

Digvijay said AIDS had affected not only the economic system but also

the social order. The number of AIDS affected persons in the world

was steadily increasing and the disease had gripped the state. This

was a cause for concern since most HIV positive persons were between

21-40 years.

Digvijay called upon officials of the AIDS control committee, NGO

volunteers and others to contribute to the initiatives launched for

controlling AIDS. He said people living in remote areas should be

made aware on what caused AIDS. Sex workers who were traditionally in

this business should also be informed about the dangers of this

disease.

The youth had a major role to play to meet the challenge, he added.

Sojatia informed that NGOs had been involved in the activities of the

AIDS control committee. Several steps like blood safety programmes,

family counsellings, IEC activities and opening of STD clinics had

been taken up in the state.

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