ISHTH campaign launched under National AIDS Control Programme

JAMMU, January 23: To provide comprehensive in-house health care services to the Jail inmates and populations residing in other closed settings across the UT of J&K, a special campaign namely ISHTH (Integrated STI, HIV, TB and Hepatitis) was launched today in the premises of the Central Jail Kot Bhalwal, Jammu with collaborative efforts of J&K AIDS Control Society (JKACS), NHM, RNTCP, WCD and the Prisons department J&K.

The launch function was inaugurated by Vikas Gupta, DIG Prisons & Corrective Services, J&K in presence of Dr. Manu Bhatnagar, Additional Director, JKACS; Dr. Monika Wali, I/c Medical Officer (IEC), JKACS and other officials from the related departments.

In his address, the DIG Prisons emphasized that the success of the ISHTH campaign depends solely upon the support provided by all the stakeholders involved, especially the health functionaries dealing in such diseases. He further appreciated the efforts put in by all the departments in the launch of this campaign and commitment shown by the organizations in dealing with such important issues.

Later Dr. Manu Bhatnagar, Additional Director, JKACS, in her key address, explained in detail the importance of the campaign and the need for interventions in prisons and other closed settings and about the integrated services being provided by the government for the welfare of the masses including the Jail inmates.

She informed that under this drive all the services covered under the ISHTH campaign will be provided at one point so that timely treatment and prevention therapy can be made available to the needy which shall help in containing the further transmission of these diseases in the community. The address was followed by a short nukkad performance by the artists of Samooh theatre highlighting the modes of transmission of HIV and its prevention.

The programme ended with the presentation of mementoes to the dignitaries.