Shortfilm fest to spread message on keeping fit

PUNE: In order to educate the masses on various health problems, some 10 shortfilms - on issues ranging from diabetes and cervical cancer to HIV/AIDS and schizophrenia - made by various filmmakers will be showcased at the two-day Aarogya Film Festival, at the National Film Archive of India   (NFAI), on December 4 and 5. The film festival, organised by PM Shah Foundation, will be inaugurated by Magsaysay awardee, Padma Bhushan Rajnikant Arole, at 1pm on December 4.

Source: Times of India

HIV couple who met at matrimonial meet ties knot

PUNE: It was at a matrimonial meet for the HIV-positive in Pune on August 1, that 36-year-old Santosh S and 34-year-old Geetanjali P   decided to marry each other. They tied the nuptials in the presence of close family and friends in the city on Wednesday, that was World AIDS Day.

Source: Times of India

Happily ever after

INPUTS BY JYONITA DESHMUKH AND K. MAMTA MURAL

As the famous quote goes, "And in the end, its not the years in your life that count. Its the life in your years." On 1st December, widely regarded as World AIDS Day, Mangesh Chaudary, 36, and Meena Shinde, 34, (names changed to protect privacy) both HIV positive, were married in the presence of friends and family, in the district court of Pune.

Source: Times of India

Better care for newborns, mothers with HIV demanded

PUNE: Prompt availability of anti-retroviral therapy, facilities like community-care centres, improved post-natal care to newborn babies of HIV positive mothers, setting up of second line ART link centres at civil hospitals across the state, letting HIV positive mothers benefit from the Sanjay Gandhi pension scheme, and providing a consistent source of livelihood to needy HIV positive people, are some demands of the Life Process Help Foundation. It works for the treatment and rehabilitation of HIV/AIDS patients in Pune

Source: Times of India

MDACS to increase distribution of free condoms due to demand

Published: Wednesday, Dec 1, 2010, 2:18 IST
By Somita Pal | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

Maharashtra District AIDS Control Society (MDACS) plans to increase its distribution of free condoms in the city, after seeing a rise in number of users in the city. MDAC in association with NACO had placed condom vending machines at strategic public places.

Source: DNA India

4,478 AIDS patients in Maha have abandoned treatment

PUNE: As India makes steady progress in its battle against HIV, it comes as a setback of sorts that a sizeable chunk of AIDS patients   in Maharashtra have given up on treatment after the initial few doses of medication. The state government says that despite its best efforts, these patients numbering 4,478 at last count have remained untraced, many of them for years.

Source: Times of India

Men having sex with men more prone to HIV

Anuradha Mascarenhas
Posted: Wed Dec 01 2010, 07:06 hrs
Pune:
While the rate of HIV prevalence is on the decline among pregnant women and female sex workers, experts say the high-risk group that is causing concern is that of men having sex with men (MSM)

Source: Indian Express

Phones don’t stop ringing at this helpline

Pune: The phones just don't stop ringing at the HIV/AIDS helpline, Samvad, which has handled 70,000 calls. The frequently asked questions include, "Am I at the risk of getting infected?", "Where can I get tested?", "Are condoms 100% safe?", "Is there life after HIV?" and "Where can I get free treatment?" And for many, one phone call has changed their life forever.

Source: Express News Service (ExpressIndia)

HIV-tainted girl in Sangli takes life ‘positively’

Published: Wednesday, Dec 1, 2010, 12:11 IST
By Nozia Sayyed | Place: Pune | Agency: DNA

"I intend to become a journalist and a social worker, will you help me?" asked 17-year-old Meena from Sangli, who is HIV-positive and fighting for her right against social stigma for many years.

Source: DNA India