32nd International AIDS Candle Light Memorial Day Celebrated

Hyderabad, May 18: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States, AIDS Control Societies observed 32nd International AIDS Candle Light Memorial Day on 17th May, 2015. The theme of the year is 'Supporting the future-unite to demand a sustainable AIDS response' Around 500 participants comprising of Staff members of Vihaan-CSCs namely HOPES-1,HOPES-2, NHP-1, NTP, Positive Community members mobilized by Vihaan, volunteers from FSW and MSM Targeted Intervention Projects, Staff of States' of AIDS Control Societies took part in the rally from Osmania Medical College, Koti-Hyderabad to Conference hall of Director of Medical Education, Koti-Hyderabad.

The rally was flagged off at 7.00 PM by Dr.Jyothi Budha Prakash, IAS, Project Director, Telangana State AIDS Control Society and Dr.P. Rajendra Prasad, Addl.Project Director, State AIDS Control Society, Hyderabad. While flagging of the rally, Dr.Jyothi Budha Prakash, IAS, Project Director, Telangana State AIDS Control Society addressed the gathering and informed that the International AIDS Candle Light Memorial has been observed globally since last 31 years for remembering the people died of AIDS and for creating awareness on HIV.

He said that State AIDS Control Society has been organizing awareness campaigns for dissemination of information on modes of transmission of HIV, prevention measure, testing, treatment and support services available to the intended populations.

The society is striving very hard to create an environment free of stigma and discrimination associated with People living with HIV/AIDS in two Telugu states. The Governments of both the states were appreciated for increasing the ART pension from Rs.200 to Rs.1000 per month and for providing as many schemes as possible for the welfare of infected families.

The participants with lightened candles marched in silence and paid the homage to the near and dear died of AIDS related illness. A commemoration meeting was held at Conference hall of Director of Medical Education, Koti-Hyderabad under the Chairmanship of Dr.P. Rajendra Prasad, Addl.Project Director, State AIDS Control Society, Hyderabad. Dr.Ravi, Addl.DM&HO, Hyderabad; Mr.Kailash Dithya, Joint Director(TI); Mr.P.Ch.Basaveswara Rao, Joint Director(IEC); Dr.Rammohan Rao, Joint Director(Blood Safety); Mr.Kalyan Rao, President, Network of Telangana People Living with HIV; Mr. Krishna of MSM Community, Mrs.Jyothi of FSW Community, Mrs. Swapna, Community Advisory Board; Mr.Vishnu of alliance India, Mr.Sreedhar, Project Director of DARE, Hyderabad and Mr.Rajendar, GIPA-SACS enlightened the audience with their messages. Officers from SACS assured all the help for empowering the communities and for uninterrupted supply of ART drugs to enable the PLHIV to lead long and quality of life.