Every pregnant woman should compulsorily opt for the HIV test to prevent infection to the fetus, said the Director, Medical and Family Welfare Department, Dr R K Pandey while addressing a State level workshop organised on the occasion of World AIDS Day on Friday.
He said that awareness is the key to fight the disease and the society should come out of inhibitions and wrong mindsets about the disease. Dr Pandey informed that HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) is a lethal combination and HIV patients should undergo regular checkup for TB. He said, “It is important that the HIV positive person leads a normal life so that, he doesn’t feels alienated in the society. The AIDS patients should be treated with love and respect.’’
The President of the Provincial Medical Health Services (PMHS), Dr D P Joshi appreciated the efforts of the Uttarakhand State AIDS Control Society (USACS) in control of the disease and expressed willingness of his organization to participate in the awareness drive. The state TB officer Dr V C Kala also informed about his department’s contribution in HIV prevention activities.
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Dehradun Dr Y S Thapliyal said that there more awareness programmes should be organized to combat the disease. The National AIDS Control Society (NACO) has set up, “Right to Health, My Health My Right’ as theme for this year.
The Additional Project Director (APD), USACS, Dr V S Tolia welcomed the guests and informed about the activities of the society.
A thought provoking and emotional act by the members of Sambhav Kala Manch was enacted on AIDS on the occasion.
Representatives of many social organization and students were present on the occasion.