By Admin 
HIV cases rise in Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh state health minister Satyakumar Yadav expressed concern over HIV cases being reported among IT employees across the country. He said that this trend seems to be new due to reasons like luxurious life and drug use. In the observation of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), the prevalence of HIV is increasing among the people of IT sector, it was found recently. The minister also ordered the State AIDS Control Organization to be alert in this matter.
Youth should stay away from drugs- Health Minister
The minister urged the youth to stay away from drugs. He suggested adopting ‘safe’ sexual practices. He said that parents should make children aware about safe sex and the seriousness of AIDS. He said that no one should discriminate against AIDS patients. He said that one should be more careful in case of HIV students. ‘World AIDS Day- 2025’ program was organized at Tummalapalli Kalakshetra, Vijayawada.
Minister Shri Satyakumar, who came as the chief guest, said that it has come to the notice of the government that doctors are refusing to perform necessary surgeries for sick HIV patients. The minister said that if HIV patients complain to DM&HOs appointed as ombudsmen in the districts, the victims will get justice. He said that such incidents can also be brought to the notice of the government.
The minister said that there are some problems for HIV patients to go to far-flung hospitals for treatment (ART) every month. He said that as per the requests of such people, ART medicines have been made available in selected PHCs in West Godavari and Nellore districts. He said that the government is ready to provide such facilities at other places also as per the requests received from the victims.
Effort to create AIDS free state by 2030
Minister Satyakumar said that the central and state governments are trying to create an AIDS-free country and state by 2030. In this sequence, he said that currently Andhra Pradesh stands first in controlling new cases of HIV. Further said that in 2015-16, 2.34% positivity was recorded among the people tested, while by 2024-25 it reduced to 0.58%. He said that 13,383 new cases were reported in 2024-25. He said that due to organizing awareness programs and change in people, the cases are decreasing.
The number of deaths due to use of medicines has also reduced. He said that the Central and State governments are providing medicines worth Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 to HIV patients every year. The Minister congratulated the officers and staff of AIDS Disease Control Organisation, who are working with the aim of stopping new cases by 2030.
He commented that the initial fear over AIDS no longer exists. He said that this carelessness will not help that people are dying due to AIDS. Minister Satyakumar revealed that currently 42,000 HIV patients are getting pension from the government. He said that 95,000 new applications are under consideration of the government. He announced that steps would soon be taken to sanction pension to these eligible people.
Organized awareness programs to alert
Neelakanthareddy, project director of the State AIDS Control Organisation, said AIDS awareness programs are being organized to alert the society. He urged the youth to follow the right path. The program was attended by MLA Gadde Rammohan Rao, Secondary Health Director Chakradhar Babu, NTR District Collector Laxmisha and other senior officials. The students presented ‘skits’ about being careful about HIV and not discriminating against victims, which entertained the audience. Minister Satyakumar honored many of those who worked to control AIDS cases.
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