KOCHI: More stress has to be given on AIDS awareness among Adivasis and people belonging to the economically backward class. “The awareness programmes have so far been targeted mostly on the middle class. This has to move down,” said the Excise and Ports Minister K Babu. He was speaking at the inaugural function of the district-level AIDS Day celebration held at Maharajas College Auditorium here on Thursday. The minister said that even today many people are living with misconceptions regarding the ways through which AIDS can be spread. “Spreading awareness is the key to solve this problem,” he said. The minister added that it was high time to stop isolating HIV/AIDS patients. “AIDS patients are still facing neglect in various quarters of society. This will only help to increase frustration of the patients,” he said. The minister said that the recently announced pension for AIDS/HIV patients was a step forward in the rehabilitation of the patients. As per the scheme, each AIDS/HIV patient will be given Rs 400 as pension and Rs 125 as transportation cost every month. Hibi Eden MLA presided over the function and Mayor Tony Chammany administered the AIDS Day oath. District Collector P Sampath also spoke.
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