Single-Window System to Help AIDS Patients in Mangalore, India

Mangalore, one of the major cities of India, will soon get a single-window system to extend various government facilities to those affected by AIDS. The Aids Prevention and Control Unit to be set up in the city will act as the single window agency. The unit is being set up as per the directions from the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society. The unit will ensure that important documents are available to AIDS patients to help them get government benefits.

Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim said those suffering from the disease may directly approach the unit or NGOs concerned to avail government schemes.

The government aims to bring those affected by the disease to the mainstream of society and this will help them to avail social security schemes. The government is providing financial help to the affected children, aged below 18 years. Also, the government is reimbursing the travel cost for patients who visit antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres for treatment.

As many as 7,549 people had been identified as HIV positive since 2007 in the district. The government has provided some facilities to them, including housing, self-employment scheme and Antyodaya ration card.



Source-Medindia