Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Saturday launched the State-wide campaign of Intensified Information Education and Communication (IEC) here at the Secretariat to create mass awareness among the people of the state about HIV and AIDS.
The Tripura State AIDS Control Society has organised the two-month long campaign in the state.
Earlier, Chief Minister Dr Saha chaired a review meeting of the Tripura State AIDS Control Society at the Secretariat, to discuss the progress, challenges, and future strategies to combat HIV/AIDS in the State. He said that the government is committed to ensure quality healthcare and support services to all and achieve the target of ending HIV/ AIDS by 2030.
In the review meeting, the Chief Minister laid emphasis on identifying the sources of HIV infection and AIDS and generates massive public awareness and precautionary measures accordingly. He said that AIDS infection can be controlled through citizen awareness. Students from school to college level should be made aware of the dangers of this disease, Dr Saha said.
The Chief Minister said that the government will soon open drug rehabilitation centers in all the 8 districts of the state. In addition, a larger rehabilitation center with modern facilities will be built in Shantganj.
In the review meeting, the Chief Minister laid emphasis on more screening of AIDS patients and treatment by keeping them under regular observation. He said Sikkim has the lowest number of AIDS patients among the North Eastern states.
Chief Secretary J K Sinha, Secretary of the State Health and Family Welfare Department Kiran Gitte, DGP Amitabh Ranjan, Finance Secretary Apoorba Roy, Special Secretary of Education Department Ravel Hemendra Kumar, Secretary of Social Welfare and Social Education Department Tapas Roy, District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of all districts, Project Director of Tripura State AIDS Control Society Dr. Samarpita Dutta and others were present in the meeting.
Health Secretary Kiran Gitte said that more than 100 awareness programs about HIV/AIDS have been undertaken among the students of various colleges and schools from January to July this year. 31 colleges and higher education institutions in 8 districts of the state have been enrolled in the Red Ribbon Club. IEC materials have been distributed free of cost to various schools and colleges.
He mentioned that 13 voluntary organizations are working in the state for awareness about HIV/AIDS. Tripura State AIDS Control Society has 24 Stand Alone Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers and 133 Facility Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers in Screening and Testing Services, 23 OST Centers are operational and 9 more centers will be launched soon, he said, adding that 1 mobile ICTC van is presently operational in the state.
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