Chhattisgarh has 2,800 HIV positive people

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh has 470 confirmed AIDS patients and about 2,800 HIV positive people, a senior health department official said on Thursday.

"The state has about 2,800 HIV positive persons besides 470 confirmed AIDS patients," Ajay Pandey, project officer, State AIDS Control Committee, told newsmen.

He added that AIDS had claimed 18 lives in Chhattisgarh since year 2002.

"Government is doing its best to tackle the dreaded AIDS, a massive awareness campaign is underway with participation of several groups and NGOs in all the 146 blocks to educate people about preventive measures," Pandey said.

Officials say the number of HIV infected is higher than government figures as health personnel fail to reach forested hilly interiors of the state, mainly in southern Bastar and northern Surguja regions.

Pandey said that 'Red Ribbon Express', the specially designed seven-coach train, which was flagged off from New Delhi Dec 1 with the objective of spreading AIDS awareness and promoting preventive measures, would reach Chhattisgarh Friday.

He said that it would also help fight discrimination against AIDS patients.