Hyderabad: Chief minister Reddy sets AIDS test example

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Reddy sets AIDS test example

G.S. RADHAKRISHNA

Hyderabad, Dec: 18: Chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Speaker

K.R. Suresh Reddy got themselves tested for HIV at a health camp set

up in the Assembly today.

They were trying to set an example for people in Andhra Pradesh,

which has 1.5 million of India's 5.7 million HIV patients, or about

20 per cent of the total. At the camp, organised by the Andhra

Pradesh Society for Control of AIDS, the chief minister encouraged

legislators to have the tests done. He sent out appeals to all men

and women to opt for the HIV scan before tying the knot, saying it

was part of their social responsibility. MLAs, police and IAS

officials have been advised to act as role models in the initiative.

An estimated 2 per cent of Andhra's population is suspected to be

living with the virus. A recent study showed that districts and towns

on trunk routes and rail junctions had a higher incidence of the

disease, about 3 to 4 per cent. Guntur, Ongole and Mahboobnagar were

among them.

The state government is offering inducements to popularise the use of

condoms, which are now available not only in pan shops and liquor

outlets, but also in grocery stores. Vegetable vendors and even milk

sellers have also been roped in.

NGO-run residential schools have been set up for orphans who got the

virus from their parents.

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