The Hindu

• Only two per cent of them get anti-retroviral treatment, says Shantharam Shetty 

Mangalore, Jul 22: "Of the 20 million HIV-affected people in the world, nearly six million are in India. But only one or two per cent of them are able to avail themselves of anti-retroviral treatment. This is an alarming situation," said Dr. Shantharam Shetty, Vice-Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society, Dakshina Kannada district.

The Government alone was unable to deal with a problem of this magnitude. All sections of society need to contribute, he said.

He was speaking after inaugurating a programme organised by the Indian Red Cross under its Youth Peer Education Programme, to provide training to trainers on HIV/AIDS.

Dakshina Kannada was the second district in the State after Shimoga to adopt this programme, said Premalatha, State coordinator of the Youth Education Programme. HIV is predominantly found in the age group of 18-32 in the country. So awareness programmes among high school and college students could prevent the spread of HIV, she said.

Students selected

Shanthi Lasrado, district co-ordinator of the Youth Education Programme said that five schools and five colleges in the district were selected for the programme. Training will be provided to a select set of students from these institutes, who would then be able to provide information and counselling to their peers.

Dr. Ramachandra from Yenepoya Medical College was the chief guest at the function. Earlier, Suresh Kumar, secretary, Dakshina Kannada District branch of Indian Red Cross Society welcomed the gathering.