A total outlay of Rs.15 crore has been earmarked for 2007-08 to undertake prevention and care activities among the general population, according to B. Chandra Mohan, Project Director of APAC, Chennai.

 

He was speaking at a function held to mark the launch of third phase by the Health Minister, K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran.

 

The ten districts to be comprehensively covered in this phase (2007-12) would be Dindigul, Tuticorin, Kanyakumari, Tiruchi, Karur, Villupuram, Kancheepuram, Namakkal, Krishnagiri and Vellore.

 

Dr. Chandra Mohan said that the role of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and USAID were phenomenal in prevention and control of the disease.

 

Explaining the special features of third phase, he said that one single agency would be identified in each district and that would be responsible for implementing the prevention programmes.

 

He also said that one particular physician would be identified by APAC in every panchayat union in the State to offer guidance to people on HIV-AIDS.

 

The identified doctor would be referred to as Physician Responsible for AIDS Management, Dr. Chandra Mohan said.

 

The Health Minister said that women have a major role in preventing the spread of HIV and hence more awareness programmes involving them are being organised.

 

S.S. Jawahar, District Collector, and N.S. Murali, Honorary Secretary, Voluntary Health Services (VHS), Chennai, spoke.

 

Date:15/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/15/stories/2007101574671200.htm