Health Minister of Uttaranchal Tilakraj Behad has revealed for the first time the AID statistics from the newly formed state. There were 48 AIDS patients and 343 HIV positive cases in the state.
Uttaranchal is a state whose economy thrives on tourism as it is in the lower Himalayan area with famous Hindu shrines such as Badrinath, Kedarnath and Rishikesh. The health Minister said:'AIDS is spreading in the state mostly by infected drivers who are coming from other states.'There are now 16 voluntary consultation centres and many NGOs working in the state thanks to the grant of 3.26 Crores for managing and creating awareness about the disease.
Mr.Behad revealed that out of thirteen districts in the state at least ten are vulnerable to AIDS. He added that out of 48 AIDS patients 28 belonged to Uttaranchal, 17 to Uttar Pradesh, 2 to Himachal Pradesh, and one to Punjab.
