PM to inaugurate AIDS youth convention

The convention to be held on Dec 1 is meant to sensitise the youth on HIV/AIDS, an official release said here on Monday.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate a national youth convention on HIV awareness on December 1, "World AIDS Day".

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The convention is being held with a view to sensitise the youth on HIV/AIDS, an official release said here on Monday.

The convention would provide an opportunity to sensitise the youth leaders about the magnitude of the problem and mobilise them to act as ambassadors to spread awareness and promote measures to check the incidence of HIV among the young people, it said.

Leaders from various political parties would address the issues and problems relating to the pandemic and motivate the youth to play a positive and proactive role in checking the menace looming large over the globe.

The convention would be attended by 800 youth inclduing student leaders from political parties across the country, an official release said on Monday.

Recognising the need for the youth to have access to accurate information on sexual health and HIV/AIDS and youth friendly health sevices, the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in collaboraiton with UNFPA has developed a range of educative, informative and communication material.

Youth account for 280 million - 25 per cent - of total population in India. Nearly 50 per cent of new HIV infections are amongst the young people in the age group of 15 to 24 years, it said.

Besides, 35 per cent of all reported AIDS cases in India occur among people in this age group, it said.