Kolkata - National Integration Assembly (NIA) has endorsed the statement of the state AIDS prevention and control society here today that Kolkata is now among the "high-prevalence" HIV/ AIDS group of cities.

A brief meeting of National Integration Assembly (NIA) was held in Kolkota today where they confirmed the high figure of HIV infected cases in Kolkata.

"Kolkata accounts for 50 per cent of the HIV/AIDS patients from across the state," S. Suresh Kumar, project director of the society, said on Saturday. "This state is now a place with high HIV/AIDS prevalence."

Kumar blamed almost all sections of society who are engaged in fighting this terrible disease in the state.

"People think this disease is not their headache unless they or members of their families are infected or affected by it. This mindset needs to be changed if we want to fight HIV/AIDS," he observed.

"This is a problem that involves all of us and its control and prevention requires involvement of all sections of society," he asserted.

Dr. Raj Baldev, President "National Integration Assembly"(NIA) said , "NGOs working to check the HIV infected cases look to be very weak financially, the people or the authorized agencies do not provide them necessary funds. 

"I am aware that no society can work effectively without funds. The authorities should come forward and help such NGOs liberally so that they could help check the spreading disease, which is spreading at a rocket speed," he said.

Mrs. Tripta Bhatia, NIA Vice President said, " There is no coordination between the NGOs and the funding agencies and the govt. is not serious about their commitment towards this health program.

Ms. Shashi Kala, NIA Secretary, said that there is an urgent need particularly to educate the poor people so that they could be prevented from being involved in this terrible disease. This section needs special attention for receiving proper instructions how to prevent this disease?

Mr. Shailinder Singh NIA executive said, " Time has come when the NGOs should approach the Govt. at the center to allot funds and other help absolutely necessary to fight this horrible disease.

Talking on the issue, Minister of State, department of health and family welfare, Pratyush Mukherjee rued: "The awareness on the need for testing or availability of test facility is very low."

He warned: "An epidemic is raging in Calcutta and its suburbs, as well as the urban areas of adjoining districts like Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24-Parganas."

Both Kumar and Mukherjee were talking at a workshop on Media and HIV/AIDS, jointly organized by Calcutta Press Club and the AIDS prevention society at the club.

The workshop discussed how the media and organizations working for HIV/AIDS infected or affected persons should work together to spread awareness about the disease and appreciated the functioning of some NGOs including National Integration Assembly (NIA).

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