People should shed stigma related to AIDS: Chetan Singh Jauramajra

SAS Nagar (Mohali)/Chandigarh, December 1, 2022: Punjab State AIDS Control Society, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab organized a state-level event related to World AIDS Day at Kisan Vikas Chamber. The event was chaired by the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab. Health Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra said that World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1 with a special theme every year around the world. This year's theme is: “Equalize”. Everyone has the right to live life with equality. That is why we all need to end the disparities that make it difficult to stop AIDS.

Chetan Singh Jauramajra said that the HIV virus does not affect the general public until a person comes into contact with an infected person. The first case of HIV in India was reported in 1986 and at that time no one could have imagined that this disease would become a major problem for the world. HIV is not only a nuisance for patients who are affected by the disease, but it also adds to social and economic difficulties as well.

Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab said that about 24.1 lakh people in India are HIV positive. 89979 HIV-positive cases were registered in Punjab, who were treated at ART centers.

Chetan Singh Jauramajra said several activities regarding HIV awareness are being conducted in the 6057 government schools and 700 colleges in the state of Punjab for the young generation ages 14-24. Along with these, awareness is spread through various other mediums. To ensure the health and social security of HIV-affected people, the government is linking up with social security schemes run by various departments.

Chetan Jauramajra said that 1069 Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (ICTC) are being operated in government hospitals and medical colleges in Punjab for free testing and counseling of patients. 19 Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centers are being run in Punjab for free treatment of patients who have tested positive. An HIV-affected person can live a long life by taking medicines regularly. 64 targeted projects are being run in Punjab to protect high-risk people from HIV/AIDS. Along with these, there are 41 OSTs in Punjab to protect people who are drug addicts from HIV/AIDS. In these centers, injecting drug patients are given medication daily under the supervision of health workers to prevent them from drug addiction. There are 161 blood centers in Punjab that provide safe blood. In these centers, donated blood is tested for HIV along with other tests so that HIV cannot be transmitted through blood transfusions.

31 STI/RTI Clinics (Protection Centers) are being run in the state. As patients suffering from latent diseases are more likely to get HIV, that is why free medicines are being provided to patients in STI clinics so that STI-infected patients can be safeguarded poo from HIV.

On this occasion, the Project Director of Punjab State AIDS Control Society Neelima, Deputy Commissioner Mohali Amit Talwar, Director Health Services Dr. Ranjit Singh Ghotra, Director Family Welfare Dr. Ravinderpal Kaur, Director of National Health Mission Dr. S.P. Singh and Civil Surgeon Dr. Adarshpal Kaur were also present.