Common man figures in the AIDS risk zones
AIDS is at the doorsteps of "common people not covered under any group," says National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) revised list of risk groups. The NACP Phase III sees vast multitudes of population as part of the potential risk zones and plans for prevention and care and support services network.
"For the first time, the NACP has extended its risk gorups list by adding to it potenital risk groups like street children, truckers, youth and industry workforce" said Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, deputy director (Clinical services) of National AIDS Research Institute (NARI). The traditional HIV risk group included sex workers, injecting drug users and men having sex with men.
Common man would be at the bottom of the ladder, but would play a major role in bringing AIDS awareness and prevention on the agenda of all those who either were always away from the process of carrying an unwanted stigmatic feeling about the infection said Dr. Gangakhedkar.
Source: The Herald, Maharashtra-
Older People, HIV/AIDS
When assessing the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic upon the world's population, older people are often overlooked. HIV prevention measures rarely target the older generation, despite the fact that many older people are sexually active and therefore still at risk of being exposed to HIV. As antiretroviral drugs extend life expectancy, the number of HIV infected older people is increasing.
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The epidemic is also affecting older people who are not infected with HIV. With the younger generations facing the full impact of the disease, older people are increasingly having to care for their sick children. The caring for AIDS orphans is also a responsibility that tends to fall to grandparents.
These are just some of the challenges that have been presented to older people as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The main issues are: The number of older people living with HIV/AIDS; Older people and the risk of HIV infection; Older people and HIV testing; Older people and HIV treatment; Older people and HIV illness progression; Older people and HIV prevention Older people and stigma; Older people as carers; Older people, poverty and HIV/AIDS.
Secondary Treatment to be free soon: Ramadoss
Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has said that the Central government plans to give free secondary treatment for those affected by HIV/AIDS. He was speaking at the annual event of HIV congress 2008, organised to provide an open platform for interaction in the field of HIV medicine here. The HIV congress is held every year to update and exchange knowledge amongst HIV treating physicians across country India; where the country’s who’s who in HIV/AIDS care and gather and interact with an experience international faculty.
Talking about HIV/AIDS Ramadoss said, "There is a need to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS among people. Many a times, it so happens that after taking primary treatment, patient generally tend to skip further treatment, as the second phase of treatment is costly. Thus in order to encourage them to continue with the treatment, the government is planning to provide free secondary treatment".
Source: The Herald, Maharashtra
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