De-stigmatizing Move Against HIV

Nearly 15.23 lakh people living with HIV are being provided with free antiretroviral (ARV) medicines through 687 ART centers and 1261 link ART centers irrespective of their income background under its National AIDS Control Programme, as said by Union Minister of State for Health Bharti Pravin Pawar in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. Pawar added that it includes free adherence counseling, diagnostic and monitoring services like baseline laboratory investigations, CD4 count testing, viral load testing, etc.

Bust the Myths on HIV

To de-stigmatize the myths revolving around the disease, NACO implements multimedia campaigns along with mass media supported by outdoor media such as hoardings, bus panels, information kiosks, folk performances, and exhibition vans to create awareness on HIV/AIDS and promoting services/facilities across the country.

At the interpersonal level, training and sensitization programs for Self-Help Groups, Anganwadi workers, ASHA, members of Panchayati Raj Institutions, and other key stakeholders are carried out to spread awareness about treatment and other facilities.A

The Adolescence Education Programme is implemented in more than 50,000 schools, providing 100 percent coverage to students of Class 8, 9, and 11 through co-curricular activities based on the life skill education approach in senior and senior secondary schools.

Pawar said 32 states have included the topic of HIV /AIDS in the curricula of schools.

Source-IANS