By Madhuri Dey
Oct.31 (THAINDIAN NEWS) On Oct 30th, President Obama signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009. He also announced that the ban on traveling and immigration of people affected with HIV or AIDS would no longer be effective. This move is being applauded and celebrated throughout the world. The move has also served the purpose of redeeming the president’s esteem in the eyes of the gay community. A few days back, members of this particular community expressed that they felt that the president displayed a conspicuous lack of interest in their community. They accused that Obama did not bestow enough attention to gay rights in the military or in the matter of gay marriage.

After the president signed the Act, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that treatment of the low-income families affected with the disease would now be provided for by the state. She said that an estimated 50,000 of these people would be provided free medication and health-care. She also said the purpose of the Act is to build a healthier country an din the process, save as many lives as possible. The executive Director of the AIDS Acton Council, Rebecca Haag, said that the maintenance of this program required close interactions of the members of the House and the Senate with the members of the affected community.

The Act is a memorial to Ryan White, who was expelled from his school after he contracted AIDS following a blood transfusion. Till he died in 1990, he advocated strongly against the prejudices that are linked with the disease and launched awareness campaigns. The Act is being touted as a great step towards awareness of and battling against the disease.