Addis Ababa, Dec.01 (ENA)--President Girma Woldegiorgis says the Ethiopian government would exert utmost efforts to protect legal and human rights of people living with HIV/AIDS with a view to avoiding stigma and discrimination.

Girma said providing care and support as well as love and affection to PLWAs is morally appropriate rather than discriminating and stigmatizing them, which exacerbate the spread of the epidemic.

Girma was speaking here on Sunday before a mass gathering organized in connection with World AIDS Day that held at the Addis Ababa Stadium under the theme "Avoid stigma and discrimination Live and let Live."

The president said providing various social services and benefits to PLWAs would have a great significance in breaking the silence.

The public should consider HIV/AIDS like any disease that can infect human beings in any circumstances, he said, and it is high time for every one to combat the pandemic.

The Ethiopian government adopted a sound policy providing for the importation of Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARV), the president said, and preparation has been finalized to design directive that would enable the country to enter in to force.

Girma said to date many Ethiopians are exposed to food crises, of which PLWAs are the most affected.

UNAIDS executive director Dr. Peter Piot urged Ethiopia on the occasion to press ahead with its efforts to roll back the spread of the pandemic.

Dr. Piot said UNAIDS would do every thing in its power to support the country's effort in curtailing the pandemic.

Various programs befitting the event has been exhibited at a ceremony jointly organized by Addis Ababa HIV/AIDS prevention and control secretariat and National AIDS council.

Meanwhile the government and NGOs as well as the general public are responsible for preventing the deaf from HIV/AIDS pandemic, representative of rehabilitation department with the ministry of labor and social affairs said.

Amha Berhe said hearing-impaired people could not get ample information about HIV/AIDS.

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