Thursday, December 3, 2009

Thousands come for AIDS counselling in Kalahandi

The Pioneer, Dec 2, 2009
Bikash Khemka | Bhawanipatna

As per Government records, 8,966 persons in Bhawanipatna came for counselling from 2006 till November 30, 2009 and out of 7,601 persons tested for the infection, 168 people were found to be HIV-positive comprising 106 males, 57 females and five trans-genders, all of whom are receiving treatment now. Similarly, at Dharamgarh sub-division, 12,000 persons were counselled and over 9,000 were tested for the infection, out of which 51 males and 23 females were found to be HIV-positive. This was revealed at a function held here on the occasion of World AIDS Day.

In Odisha, while 15,164 persons have been found infected with HIV, 1,083 have succumbed to the killer disease as per reports available till October 2009. As per report, around 2.4 million people in India are people living with HIV AIDS (PLHA) and 1,93,10,239 persons are receiving counselling. Out of a total of 1,02,53,520 persons tested for HIV infection from April 2008 to May 2009, 3,02,053 were found HIV-positive, it was further revealed.

The World AIDS Day was observed on Tuesday under the aegis of ZSS and district administration at Town Hall in Bhawanipatna. The function was attended by Kalahandi SP Harmohan Das as the chief guest. Additional district medical officer, PD DRDA Lingraj Rath and DPC Lambodhar Sahu were also present on the occasion. DPC Sahu told The Pioneer that both literate and illiterate people have been found infected with HIV due to lack of awareness campaigns. Samiti member of Madiguda village, Sachi Mahakud said that mostly migrant labourers are being affected with the disease which can be effectively checked by the district administration and NGOs.
 

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