Despite Govt Efforts, No Decline In AIDS Patients

BATHINDA – Despite the government’s anti-AIDScampaigns, there has been a rise in the number ofAIDS patients in Punjab. More patients have been registeredin Ludhiana than in Amritsar.From 15 deathsreported in 2007, the number of AIDS deaths rose to608 in March 2013. Data obtained from the StateAIDS Control Society, Chandigarh, shows an expenditureof Rs 19.82 crore was incurred on eradicatingAIDS. From 1,106 patients in March 2007, the numberof registered HIV/AIDS patients at Anti-RetroviralTherapy (ART) Centres increased to 4,897 in March-2013.