HIV/AIDS is not just any ordinary health issue because the impact of the disease could be felt on virtually every sector of the society ranging from health and education to labour and economy.
Attempts made towards increasing awareness regarding safe sexual practices is the need of the hour rather than advocating sex morality to help face the AIDS challenge, according to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister S. Jaipal Reddy.
'We have been mute spectators to the colossal tragedy of AIDS that continues to unfold across many countries worldwide...The AIDS pandemic is closer to us than we realized, most people even now are not armed with adequate knowledge. Several times, political leaders themselves do not have sufficient knowledge and quite a few of them stress on chastity ' said the minister, expressing concern over the ever increasing incidence rates in the country.The minister highlighted on the lack of proper awareness regarding the spread of the disease. He also necessitated the need for spreading messages on safe sex rather than on moral beliefs of the society. Furthermore, the information needs to be open and honest so that people can make informed choices about a particular situation.
HIV/AIDS is not just any ordinary health issue because the impact of the disease could be felt on virtually every sector of the society ranging from health and education to labour and economy.
A unified, strong and continuous leadership from all sectors is believed to stand a better chance in facing success with the AIDS control program. The media has a very important role in shaping up public opinion regarding shaping public opinion and creating an environment supportive of HIV prevention, care and treatment. It can help fight the associated ignorance, silence and inaction. However, while doing so it has to be ensured that all people are provided with consistent and accurate information.
If this message could be communicated to the society in large, our vision of giant leaps in economy, technological advance, social justice and aspirations for a global leadership could soon be realized.
Medindia on AIDS:
Preventing the spread of HIV requires a comprehensive strategy that includes effective, sustained health education and health promotion programs. The goal of these programs is to reduce the risk of individuals becoming infected with HIV or, if already infected, infecting others.
