After Cachar, Sribhumi Steps Up the HIV/AIDS Awareness Drive

An Intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign aimed at increasing awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment and stigma reduction was launched in Sribhumi district on Wednesday (September 9).

Organised by the Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS), the campaign seeks to take information about HIV/AIDS and services available under the National AIDS Control Programme to communities across the district.

The district-level launch programme was held at Vivekananda College of Education, Sribhumi, in the presence of officials, students, NCC cadets and representatives of partner organisations. Ms Saptati Endow, ACS, ADC (Health)-cum-Nodal Officer HIV/AIDS, Sribhumi, attended the programme as the Chief Guest.

The campaign will cover 120 locations across Sribhumi, including 20 schools and colleges and 200 households, according to Anup Kumar Dutta, Cluster Programme Manager, DISHA.

Dutta said the campaign would focus on vulnerable populations and factors contributing to the spread of HIV, while encouraging people to undergo timely testing and access treatment and other available services. He also spoke about HIV trends in India and the northeastern states.

He further highlighted NACO’s Breakfree initiative, which allows people to assess their HIV-related risk factors by answering a few questions through an online platform.

District AIDS Control Officer Dr Ziaul Karim, in his welcome address, spoke about HIV/AIDS and substance use in the district and outlined preventive measures and services available to the public.

Saptati Endow stressed the importance of awareness, early testing, safe practices and community participation in preventing new HIV infections. She also urged people to make use of the available health services.

An awareness session was conducted by District Resource Person Mithun Roy, who spoke to students and members of the public about HIV/AIDS, syphilis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), prevention of parent-to-child transmission (PPTCT), opioid substitution therapy (OST), antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other interventions under ASACS.

The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of a lamp, followed by an inaugural song by students of Vivekananda College of Education. The dignitaries were also felicitated with a green welcome.

The IEC campaign van was formally flagged off by the dignitaries by waving a green flag. Following the programme, a rally involving students, NCC cadets, officials, guests and other participants was organised through the major roads of the town before concluding at Vivekananda College of Education.

Dr Eshan Ahmed Galib of Karimganj Civil Hospital, Dr Joyeeta Bhattacharjee, Principal of Vivekananda College of Education, Tasneem Nessa, Data Monitoring and Documentation Officer, DISHA, and other officials and staff members were present at the programme.

Representatives of Deshbandhu Club, WODWCHEE TI NGO, CSC PC and CLH also attended the event, along with NCC cadets from the 4th Assam Battalion.

The programme was compered by Suchana Nath, Lecturer at Vivekananda College of Education. The vote of thanks was delivered by the DMDO, DISHA.

The campaign is expected to strengthen community-level awareness about HIV/AIDS, encourage early testing and treatment, and promote greater access to prevention and support services across Sribhumi district.