Himachal has 7,629 HIV/AIDS cases

There are 7,629 HIV/AIDS cases in Himachal Pradesh, Health Minister Kaul Singh informed the state assembly here Thursday.

In a written reply, he said the state government is providing to-and-fro bus fare to the HIV/AIDS patients and one attendant to reach the ART (anti-retroviral therapy) centre.

The minister said the state government is also giving financial aid from Rs.300 to Rs.800 per month to the children living with HIV/AIDS, and to the children who have one of the parents living with HIV/AIDS.

He said the government has been providing milk powder free of cost for one year for the newly born children of HIV/AIDS patients.