Port Blair, Dec. 1: On the occasion of World AIDS Day on 1st December 2021 with the theme: “End Inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemics”, an orientation programme was organized by CHC Bambooflat in association with WITH YOU (NGO) at the conference hall of the NGO. Ms.V.K.Mariyam Bibi, President of WITH YOU was the chief guest on the occasion.

Rangoli and Games competition were conducted among the general public of Bambooflat Jurisdiction and First 03 (Three) winners were awarded cash prizes.

Earlier, Shri G. Venkateswar Rao, Counsellor, ICTC delivered the inaugural speech and explained about significance of the day. He highlighted this year theme-“ End Inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemics”. He also stated that AIDS is a raging global issue and India ranks 3rd in AIDS cases and stressed upon the participants to disseminate, preventive measures, mode of transmission to create awareness in the society and help to make these Island AIDS free zone.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest, Ms V. K. Mariyam Bibi informed the gathering that there is no harm in living together with an AIDS patients and she appreciated the villagers/public for participating in the programme. She also thanked the health services for providing in depth knowledge through different sources. She stressed about more information, education and communication besides awareness camps have to be organized to educate the masses.

Dr. C. Rani, Medical Officer (Homeo), delivered a speech on the theme of this year’s AIDS Day. She talked about HIV-TB co-ordination, testing facilities at ICTC, and urged the gathering to disseminate the information they received so that people living in their surrounding would get educated and further spread of this dreaded disease would be controlled.

Smti. K. A. Shahida Bibi, Health Educator on the occasion explained about the mode of transmission of AIDS, its preventive measures and stressed on the key messages of HIV/AIDS and signs & symptoms. Advised to create awareness among the general public regarding the effects of AIDS in our community and its discriminations and stressed the needs for community participation to achieve the goal of “END INEQUALITIES .END AIDS.END PANDEMICS” and also advised about vasectomy with explanation for all of its methods.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by the Counsellor of ICTC.