TEHRAN- Recent studies show a decline in the number of patients with HIV in Iran, meaning that measures taken to control the disease have been successful, Labor Minister Ali Rabiei said on Saturday.

Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting held in support of HIV patients, Rabiei said between 85,000 to 100,000 persons have been identified with HIV in the country.

The minister called for raising public awareness on AIDS and treating the patients right, thereby brining the disease more easily under control, ISNA reported.   

The most important issue discussed in the meeting, the minister said, was to find ways for the public to treat HIV patients like other patients so as to prevent their isolation, he added.

He then introduced www.aids.ir website where patients can register and receive confidential counseling as well as social support.

To study ways of reducing and preventing HIV infection at schools and in the public was the decision the committee came up with.