Plethora of activities mark World AIDS Day

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 1

Soon, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) will fight for HIV patients to ensure that their right to treatment without discrimination is upheld.

At a state-level function to mark World AIDS Day today, DLSA secretary Kuldeep Sharma said they, along with the State Aids Control Society (SACS), were working out a plan to provide legal aid to HIV patients. “Any form of discrimination against HIV infected patients should not be tolerated. The medical fraternity should not hesitate from providing treatment to the patients. We are working closely with the SACS to ensure that their rights are not trampled upon,” said Sharma, while speaking at the programme— Understand HIV/AIDS- End Discrimination— held at 

the Parade Ground.

In his address, Health Minister Surinder Singh Negi urged students, present in large numbers, to spread the message of ending discrimination against HIV patients.

A skit, revolving around the theme of ending discrimination against AIDS patients, was staged with the help of the DLSA.

Earlier in the morning, a rally from the Gandhi Park to the Parade Ground was also taken out to spread awareness. Around 1,000 people, comprising school students, NCC cadets, members of Red Ribbon Club and students of state Nursing College and those of Sri Guru Ram Rai Post Graduate College, participated in the rally.

Joga Ram and Daya Ram foundation, in collaboration with Bella Health, also organised an awareness programme on AIDS at Parade Ground. Asha Tamta, chief organiser of the foundation, was the chief guest on the occasion. She said education and awareness could prevent the spread of the disease.