Hailakandi Joins the Club: Launches Intensified HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign at S.S. College

After Cachar and Sribhumi, Hailakandi district on Tuesday launched this year’s Intensified IEC Campaign (IIEC) to strengthen awareness of HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, prevention, testing, treatment and stigma reduction among students and the wider community.

The district-level launching programme was held at S.S. College, Hailakandi, on September 15, with senior health officials, legal service authorities, NACP staff, college authorities and students taking part.

The campaign comes after similar IIEC activities were already launched in neighbouring Cachar and Sribhumi districts.

The programme was inaugurated by Limpuia Nampui, ACS, Additional District Commissioner (Health), Hailakandi. The opening session included lamp lighting and a greenery welcome, followed by discussions on the need for stronger awareness about HIV/AIDS and substance abuse.

Officials stressed the importance of correcting myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS, promoting responsible behaviour, encouraging early HIV testing and treatment, and reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

A pledge under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was also administered during the first session. Officials, NACP staff and students pledged to contribute towards a drug-free society and spread awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse, particularly among young people.

The second session featured a technical awareness programme on HIV/AIDS conducted by Anup Kr Dutta, CPM, DISHA Cluster. The session covered the basics of HIV and AIDS, the HIV epidemic in India and the Northeast, modes of transmission and prevention, early testing and diagnosis, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), linkage to care and treatment services, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

The session also addressed common misconceptions, stigma and discrimination related to HIV/AIDS. Students were introduced to Breakfree India, an initiative that enables individuals to carry out HIV self-risk assessment through mobile devices.

Students actively participated in the interactive session and raised questions, with their concerns and misconceptions addressed by the resource person.

The concluding session saw the flagging off of the IIEC Van by the ADC (Health), in the presence of the Principal of S.S. College and other officials and dignitaries.

The mobile IEC vehicle will travel to different parts of Hailakandi district to disseminate HIV/AIDS prevention messages and IEC materials and provide information about available services. The initiative is aimed at taking awareness activities closer to communities, particularly in areas where access to such programmes may be limited.

Among those present at the programme were Gaurab Dutta, ACS, Branch Officer, Health; Jafar Tapader, AJS, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority; Dr M.I. Barbhuiya, Joint Director of Health Services; Dr Abdul Wadud Barbhuiya, District AIDS Control Officer; Anup Kr Dutta, CPM, DISHA Cluster; NACP staff of Hailakandi district and students of S.S. College.

The three-session programme marked the formal beginning of this year’s intensified IEC activities in Hailakandi, combining institutional awareness, technical education and mobile outreach to promote HIV prevention, early testing, treatment linkage and a reduction in stigma and discrimination.