Mann government extends support to AIDS Patients
Efforts underway to enable HIV patients to live a dignified life
Punjab E News: In a compassionate move, the Bhagwant Mann-led government is preparing to offer essential support to AIDS patients who have long faced social exclusion. During the first meeting of the State Council, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh initiated discussions on providing monthly financial aid of Rs 1500 to HIV patients. This step aligns with the government’s commitment to improving the lives of those affected by HIV.
The Mann government, known for its progressive welfare policies, aims to change societal attitudes towards AIDS patients. As part of this initiative, the State Council has proposed free monthly transport for HIV-infected patients to travel from their homes to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centers for treatment.
Furthermore, the government plans to form a task force dedicated to improving the employment opportunities and quality of life for those battling HIV.
Since the first year of its tenure, the Mann government has made efforts to understand the daily struggles of HIV-affected individuals and has taken steps to ensure that they can access welfare schemes without facing discrimination. This initiative includes guidelines issued to the state’s industries and labor departments, encouraging the enforcement of HIV/AIDS policies. Industrial establishments with more than 100 employees have been asked to appoint grievance officers to address discrimination-related issues.
The government has also appealed to the public to change their perception of AIDS patients, urging them to treat HIV-affected individuals with humanity.
It is said that HIV does not spread through touch, air, or water but through unsafe sexual practices, repeated use of needles, and syringes. The move has provided renewed hope to those who had lost their will to live, instilling confidence and a sense of belonging in a society that had once shunned them.