Some 10 percent of the people infected with HIV/AIDS in Peru have received medical treatment from the government, the National Coordinator of the Sanitarian Strategy of Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS Jose Sebastian said Wednesday.
At least 90,000 Peruvians are now living with HIV/AIDS, and the Peruvian government has so far given treatment to 9,000 persons infected with the virus, Sebastian said.
"We give them antiretroviral medicines to curb the impact of the virus," he said, adding that the government has earmarked 15 million soles (over 5 million U.S. dollars) in 2008 to help the patients.
Sebastian also called on the public to become more aware of the difficult situation of HIV/AIDS patients and show more respect for them.
"They (HIV/AIDS infected persons) are discriminated against due to the lack of information. You won't get infected with the AIDS virus from kissing, hugging or touching someone," he said.
"These persons are entitled to exercise their right to work, health and education," Sebastian added.
Source: Xinhua
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