Photo Courtesy: nenews
Guwahati: The Assam State AIDS Control Society started a 60-day HIV awareness drive across the state this Wednesday. Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal launched the initiative at the District Library in Dibrugarh. He flagged off an awareness van in front of officials including Minister Rameswar Teli, MLA Chakradhar Gogoi, and MP Jogen Mohan. More than 1,000 people attended the launch event.
Singhal warned students and local stakeholders about the danger of drugs. He highlighted that most HIV cases in Assam stem from injecting drug users. "Youth are our resources. If the youth goes astray, the society goes astray. In Assam most of HIV positive cases are injecting drug users. Therefore, I would like to appeal to the youth to stay away from drugs which may lead to HIV," the minister stated. He demanded that residents practice self-control.
Rameswar Teli praised the government for the intensified outreach. He reminded the public that while HIV treatments exist, prevention through avoiding high-risk habits remains the best defense. Sanjib Kakati, Principal of Assam Medical College, also pushed students to reject unhealthy lifestyles.
Project Director Indranoshee Das confirmed the scope of the operation. The team will hit 3,900 villages and 500 schools. They also plan to visit 200 colleges, 100 government hospitals, and various urban slums. The launch concluded with a cultural program involving local students.
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