Vizag celebrates AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day with rally

Government health officials, members of voluntary organizations and HIV/AIDS positive network workers commemorated the 43rd International AIDS Candlelight Day by holding a candlelight vigil under the theme “Ignite the Legacy: Remember. Progress. Act” in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

The gathering marked by the District Medical Officer and Health Officer Dr. P. Jagadeeshwara Rao and led by District Leprosy, AIDS and TB Officer Dr. Ronanki Ramesh, proceeded from Satyam Junction to Rama Talkies. Of the 26,203 HIV-positive individuals identified in the district, 11,682 are currently on antiretroviral therapy (ART), while 7,445 deaths have been recorded in the last two decades. The district operates five ART centers.

Published – 17 May 2026 23:51 IST