Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has an estimated
55,167 HIV/AIDS patients, of which 11,024 have registered with
the anti-retroviral treatment (ART) centres, according to
Health Secretary Manoj Joshi.
The state had 0.26 per cent HIV infection rate against the
national average of 0.34 per cent. The ART centres under the
State AIDS control Society (KSACS) are currently treating
4,018 patients, majority of them in the 25-40 age group.
A total of 80 children are also among the HIV-infected
being treated at KSACS centres in the state, Joshi said in a
statement here today.
Joshi said the Red Ribbon Express, with the aim of
spreading the message of AIDS awareness and control, would be
touring the state from February 23 to March 12. The train,
starting from Kasaragod would have halts at important stations
before reaching the capital.
As part of the awareness campaign, groups of artistes
travelling in two `life buses` would also stage cultural
programmes in the interior areas.
The programme under the auspices of the Rajiv Gandhi
foundation, is being organised in the state jointly by
National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), KSACS, Health and
Education departments and various public service
organisations.
PTI
