Social worker seeks to raise awareness about Aids

A campaigning social worker is hoping to set up an organisation to raise awareness about the menace of HIV and Aids in the UAE.

Roopa Hasan said too few people knew the risks linked to the killer virus - and little was being done to improve their knowledge.

The 29-year-old Indian said there are many misconceptions linked to Aids that she wants to eradicate in the UAE.

"I want to use my life to save at least a couple of more lives by making people aware of this deadly virus. There is a tremendous need to make people aware.

"There are facts and myths related to HIV/Aids and they have to be addressed. How many people in the UAE know the difference between HIV and Aids?" she asked.

Hasan said HIV/Aids prevalence rates in the Gulf region were fairly low compared to some other parts of the world. However, she said countries have reported increases in HIV/Aids infections in recent years.

"I hope to be visiting local schools and contacting universities to organise group discussions. I will also be networking with the hospitals to see if they want HIV/Aids counselling," she added.

To help fund the group, Hasan said she would be contacting major companies to see if they could offer support.

In Delhi in her native India, Hasan spent three years working for a non-governmental organisation called Torch raising awareness about HIV/Aids.