Need to implement more rigorous multi-media campaign to create awareness on HIV/AIDS: MoS Health Baghel

New Delhi [India], August 25 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare SP Singh Baghel on Thursday inaugurated the review meeting of the National AIDS Control Program and said that we can fight this with resolve and determination and we need to implement a more rigorous multi-media campaign to create awareness on HIV/AIDS across the country.

The two-day meeting is being organized in Agra on August 24-25, 2023. The meeting is aimed to be part of the Sustainable Development Goal of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Addressing the event, Baghel accentuated the stigma faced by HIV AIDS patients. He reiterated the commitment of the government under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister towards strengthening the HIV/AIDS and STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) response.

“We can fight this with resolve and determination and we need to implement a more rigorous multi-media campaign to create awareness of HIV/AIDS across the country. Some steps being implemented like the National AIDS toll-free helpline, lifetime free ART services, free lifelong antiretroviral (ARV) medicines for people living with HIV, free adherence counselling, diagnostic and monitoring services like baseline laboratory investigations, CD4 count testing, and regular viral load monitoring for PLHIV,” Baghel said.

He also highlighted the need to reduce discrimination against the affected population. The government in this regard has notified “HIV and AIDS policy for establishments 2022”

The National AIDS and STD Control Program (NACP) is currently in its fifth phase with an aim to reduce new HIV infections as well as AIDS-related mortality and also to eliminate the stigma related to HIV/AIDS in society.

He also focused on increasing social inclusivity and using a multisectoral approach to tackle HIV.

The Union Minister of State emphasized accurate detection and treatment, ensuring care services reach to remotest part of the country.

He said that a person who doesn’t give consent for testing is causing harm to the whole community, as he/she can spread the disease to other community members.

“It is very important to demystify the myths surrounding HIV/AIDS and we need to think about the community as a whole and get ourselves tested. We also need to support HIV/AIDS patients in the same way as we support other patients. He also highlighted the need for more rigorous IEC campaigns to demystify the myths surrounding HIV/AIDS. He also exhorted that it is with deep resolve and determination it can be checked,” he added. 

Baghel also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allocating Rs 15,471 crore for this programme. “It shows the deep commitment of the Prime Minister for the elimination of HIV/AIDS from India,” he stated. 

The event was organised by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Agra. National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) is an organization working towards preventing and controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS across the country through State AIDS Control Societies, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare release said. 

National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) Phase – V is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Government of India.

Hekali Zhimomi, Additional Secretary and DG NACO congratulated the country for an exceptional response in reducing the HIV burden in the country.

Shobini Rajan, DDG, NACO and Dr Chinmoyee Das, ADG, NACO were also present at the event along with all state project directors and senior government officials.