Cachar and Karimganj Mobilize Youth for HIV/AIDS Awareness on International Youth Day

On 12 August, marking International Youth Day, the Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS), launched a statewide Intensified IEC (Information, Education, Communication) Campaign across Assam to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. The campaign was inaugurated in various districts, including Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Kamrup (M), Sonitpur, Nagaon, Tinsukia, Jorhat, Karbi Anglong, Cachar, and Karimganj, aiming to educate the youth on preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

In Cachar district, the event commenced at 11:00 AM with a procession led by NCC cadets alongside DISHA and other participating organizations. By 11:30 AM, the event shifted to Cachar College, where the District AIDS Control Officer, Dr. Ratna Chakraborty gave her opening remarks following this the Assistant Commissioner (Health) of Cachar, Jonali Devi, delivered the welcome and keynote address. The event also featured a lamp-lighting ceremony and the inauguration of the programme, accompanied by the felicitation of youth icons and esteemed guests.

The event in Cachar saw the participation of several key officials, contributing to the success of the campaign. Notable attendees included Smti. Junali Devi, Assistant Commissioner (Health) of Cachar, Dr. Bibhash Deb, Principal In-Charge of Cachar College, Dr. M I Barbhuiyan, Additional Chief Medical & Health Officer, Dr. Ratna Chakraborty, District AIDS Control Officer, Dr. Arindam Das, In-Charge of the Blood Bank at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH), Dr. Rohan Biswas, Medical Officer at S.M. DEV Civil Hospital, Rahul Ghose, District Programme Manager for NHM, Syed Salim Haque, Chief Security Officer for ASACS in Cachar, and Tasneem Nessa, District Medical Development Officer for ASACS in Cachar.

Dr. Ratna Chakraborty, in her opening remarks, provided general information on how HIV spreads and the measures to prevent it. The District Resource Person (DRP), Gayatri Deka, emphasized the ABCD formula of HIV prevention during her awareness presentation. She elaborated on A for Abstinence, B for Being faithful, C for Condom usage, and D for Detecting early as critical steps to avoid contracting HIV. She clarified the distinction between HIV, a virus, and AIDS, a condition resulting from the virus, and addressed common myths and misconceptions surrounding the disease. A FAQ session followed to ensure the college students understood the material.

As part of this campaign, DRPs in Cachar will visit various colleges and communities over the coming months to spread awareness about HIV and AIDS. The campaign’s goal is to inform, educate, and communicate with the youth, empowering them with the knowledge needed to protect themselves and contribute to reducing the prevalence of HIV in Cachar and across the state.

Similarly, in Karimganj, a parallel event was organized at Vivekananda College of Education. The event was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Laxminandan Saharia (ACS), the CEO of Karimganj District. Other prominent guests included Monika Boro, DLSE Secretary, Rongborang Teron (ACS), Assistant Commissioner, Dr. Sumana Naiding, Karimganj District Health Director, Dr. B.K. Sarkar, District AIDS Control Officer, Dr. Abdul Mukib Tapadar, STI In-Charge at Karimganj Civil Hospital, and Dr. Jayita Bhattacharya, Principal of Vivekananda College of Education, among others.

During the inaugural ceremony in Karimganj, the chief guest and dignitaries lit the ceremonial lamp to mark the start of the programme. The event included a welcome address by Dr. B.K. Sarkar, who discussed the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse in Karimganj, and the measures available to combat these issues. Anup Kumar Dutta, DISHA Cluster Program Manager, highlighted the role of the IEC campaign in curbing the spread of the virus in Karimganj and called for collective efforts to make the campaign successful.

The Karimganj event also featured a cultural performance by the Assam State AIDS Control Society’s cultural team, followed by a presentation by District Resource Person Mithun Roy. He educated the audience on HIV, syphilis, STIs, PPTCT, OST, and ART services available through the Assam State AIDS Control Society’s projects. The event concluded with a pledge for a drug-free India in both the Districts.

The Intensified IEC Campaign, launched on Youth Day, is set to cover numerous locations across the State. In Cachar and Karimganj District it aims to cover over 100 locations, with officials urging the public to embrace the campaign’s benefits. Through these efforts, ASACS and its partners aim to empower the youth with the knowledge to combat HIV/AIDS and work towards a healthier Assam.