(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the news-item captioned `AIDS: TN dist. Records 14 deaths in 4 months` appearing in `Indian Express` dated July 10, 2000;
(b) if so, whether the Union Government propose to carry-out a survey on priority basis to find out the total number of cases affected by AIDS in Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (PROF. RITA VERMA)
(a) (b) (c) & (d) Yes, Sir. Fourteen deaths were reported during the year 1999-2000, out of 150 AIDS cases admitted in District Headquarters Hospital, Namakkal.
Government of India is conducting regular Sentinel Surveillance, every year which also includes the ante natal site in Namakkal district.
The details is given below:
Ante-natal sites
1998 3% HIV +ve 1999 6.5% HIV+ve(e) In order to prevent and control the spread of HIV/AIDS in India, a comprehensive Programme is currently under implementation throughout the country as a centrally sponsored scheme. The main components consist of :-