Delhi to fund HIV/AIDS treatment for the poor

Providing relief to thousands of poor people suffering from HIV/AIDS, Delhi becomes the first state to fund their treatment.

Providing relief to thousands of poor people suffering from HIV/AIDS, Delhi becomes the first state to fund their treatment.

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Launched by the Delhi government, the below poverty line population suffering from HIV/AIDS and living on anti-retroviral treatment (ART) will be given Rs. 1,000 per month under the scheme. Infected orphans, destitute or abandoned children will be given a monthly amount of Rs. 2,050 till they turn 18.

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit handed over a cheque each to 17 children and 10 women while launching the scheme on Saturday at Maulana Azad Medical College.

"I call upon all the ART centres, NGOs, and all others involved in the care, support and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS to ensure that the needy accesses the benefit of the scheme,"said Dikshit.

In Delhi, 11,064 persons are on anti-retroviral treatment at nine ART centres, out of which 364 persons have already been identified for financial assistance.