Chennai: Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Sunday called upon people to strive unitedly to create a HIV/AIDS-free society.
Urging people to take a pledge in this regard, in his message on the eve of World AIDS Day, Mr Panneerselvam said the government has been taking consistent efforts in creating awareness among the people on combating this killer disease.
"Apart from creating awareness through the Tamil Nadu AIDS Control Society, the state government has established 52 ART centres, 149 link ART centres besides 16 legal aid centres to identify, offer treatment and counsel the infected," he said.
The Chief Minister further said awareness programmes are being carried out through 2,458 Red Ribbon societies which were formed in schools and colleges. The government has also extended the free bus pass scheme to the HIV affected.
It was in Chennai that HIV was first diagnosed among female sex workers; thereafter the communicable disease was known to the rest of the country.
Tamil Nadu later became a role model to other states in controlling the menace of spreading HIV through numerous awareness programmes and health campaigns.
"Let us support those with HIV/AIDS. Let's take a pledge to care for them and help create an AIDS-free society," he urged.
