Shillong, Aug 3 (UNI) Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes today stressed that sex education for adolescents is a must to tackle the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.

Mr Fernandes, while highlighting the rising cases of AIDS in the country, informed the legislators from North East here that several school students in Mumbai and New Delhi visit the red-light areas posing high health risks.

He also urged the legislators to spread awareness on HIV and its spread during their upcoming election campaigns.

Mr Fernandes, also convenor of the Forum of Parliamentarians on HIV/AIDS, said if the legislators speak about HIV/AIDS, it would make a greater impact at the grassroots level.

Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura would go for fresh elections in February next.

Stating that Nagaland and Manipur have the highest incidences of HIV/AIDS, Mr Fernandes urged lawmakers in Meghalaya to start the campaign against this dreaded disease.

He also stressed on having more testing centers and awareness campaigns in the region.

Chief Minister D D Lapang also urged the HIV positives to shed all inhibitions and come forward to fight the stigma associated with the disease.

UNI