In spite of a huge public awareness movement on deterrence of HIV-AIDS, the figure of HIV positive cases is going up in Madurai region.

According to the facts available with the district authorities, the figure appears to be climbing up each month.

In January 2012, there were around 86 HIV positive cases reported from Madurai. This number reached 108 in the month of February whereas the March figure depicted that 111 people tested positive for HIV.

M. Kalirajan, District Programme Manager for Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS, stated, "Though, we are spending a lot of money on awareness programmesit is a matter of concern that more persons are infected with HIV."

The HIV 'positive' group comprises males, females and kids as well and the majority of the HIV affected people are in the age bracket of 24 to 34 years.

Various HIV positive cases are being recorded from rustic regions in Melur, Tirumangalam and Alanganallur areas.

Mr. Kalirajan said that the genuine figure of confirmed HIV 'positive' cases will be above what is being recorded now since private hospitals where the HIV screening examinations are conducted are not appropriately reporting it to the area authorities.

"We have made a request to the Collector to intervene and instruct the private hospitals to inform about fresh HIV cases on a monthly basis so that appropriate follow up can be done. He may convene a meeting in this regard very soon," he said.

Each year, almost 1,400 HIV positive cases got appended in Madurai region, and the authorities are coordinating the cure, Anti-Retroviral Therapy and nutrition aspects.

It may be mentioned that the Red Ribbon Express that creates public knowledge on HIV-AIDS avoidance will visit a variety of southern regions, starting from May 12.