Jammu, December 01 (Scoop News) – World AIDS Day was observed in Jammu & Kashmir.
J&K Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Sham Lal Sharma has called upon the cross sections of the society to contribute their bit in eradicating the dreaded AIDS disease. He sought support from religious organizations, NGOs, intellectuals and educational institutions and asked them to use their influence to create awareness among the general masses for the prevention of AIDS.
Addressing a seminar held to mark the World AIDS Day at Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar, here today, the Minister maintained that the Government has launched a massive awareness campaign at district levels by organizing seminars and other mediums about the prevention of AIDS, but only Government efforts are not sufficient. “We all have to fight against this dreaded disease and spread awareness among the ignorant and vulnerable class as prevention is the only cure of this epidemic”.
The seminar was organized by the Jammu &Kashmir State AIDS Prevention and Control Society in collaboration with the Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar and attended by hundreds of students, Members of NGOs, teachers, doctors and para-medicos from across the Jammu division.
Saying that sex education is must for the adolescent at the secondary education level to save the children from the onslaught of this killer disease, he asserted that parents should make an attitudinal change and guide their wards properly in a friendly way. He also stressed on maintaining the ethos of rich human values and creating awakening through ‘Yuga’ and exercises. He also maintained that HIV positive patients should be treated sympathetically adding that social stigma being attached to such persons needs to be removed.
The Minister stressed the need for strengthening the surveillance system to detect the new cases. He asked the agencies associated with this noble cause to put on their serious efforts to reach out the people vulnerable to this disease to contain it from spreading further. He apprised that 234 new cases have been identified in the State and till this time, 185 people have lost their lives because of AIDS. The situation is not so alarming in Jammu and Kashmir, but we have to be cautious in future and gear up our efforts. He also called for treating the HIV positive cases with sympathy and utmost care to give them a feeling that they are not burden on the society, he added.
Earlier, the students presented plays and skits depicting the cause of AIDS and its preventive measures, which were highly applauded by the jam packed audience. The Minister distributed mementoes among the participants who excelled in the cultural activities.
Among others, Director Family Welfare, Dr. Rakesh Khajuria, Director, Indian System of Medicines, Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar, Director Health Services, Jammu, Dr. Ashok Sharma, Project Director, AIDS Control Society, Dr. Wasim Qureshi, Controller, Drugs and Food Control Organization, Satish Gupta, HoD Blood Transfusion Department, GMC, Jammu, Dr. T.R.Raina and Principal Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar, Prof. Nalini Kohli.
Earlier, the Minister flagged off a rally to mark the World AIDS Day at Akhnoor. The rally was jointly organized by the Rotary Club, Sub-District Hospital, Degree College and peripheral schools of Akhnoor.
Hundreds of students, teachers, doctors, Members of NGOs and prominent citizens participated in the rally. The rally passed through the main bazaar of Akhnoor and culminated at the famous Kameshwar temple. Sant Nirankari Missioin, Akhnoor branch arranged stalls of refreshments for the participants on the occasion.
Minister for Medical Education and Youth Services and Sports, R.S. Chib today inaugurated an Aids awareness camp at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar in connection with Worlds Aids Day.
The Minister was accompanied by Principal GMC, s. Shahida Mir, Head of departments and Medical Superintendents of the college.
The camp was attended by a large number of medical and para medical students besides large gathering of local people.
Chib, on this occasion, released a bunch of balloons in air depicting aids control slogans in presence of distinguished dignitaries. He also released literature concerning about the dreadful disease in all three languages Urdu, English and Hindi. The Minister also interacted with the students who participated in the camp. He stressed up on the medical fraternity to disseminate the message with regard to control and awareness of this disease.
Earlier, the Minister convened a meeting of HoDs and Medical Superintendents and other allied staff to take stock of the supplies and requirements. The Minister was informed about the shortage of staff in the college. He assured the Principal GMC that steps are underway to overcome this problem early. He said promotions in academic sector would be made and the vacancies created will be filled as per academic norms and need basis.
Meanwhile Minister for Social Welfare, Ms Sakina Itoo has asked the functionaries of social welfare department, particularly Anganwari workers and helpers to understand their multifarious responsibilities and sensitize people about the dreaded disease of AIDS besides performing their routine duties. She said increase in their honorarium was aimed to spur their motivation for achieving better results at ground levels.
She was addressing a mass awareness camp at Mansar today, organized by her department to sensitize Anganwari workers and helpers about AIDS, which has cast its shadows in the State.
Ms Sakina said that Social Welfare department is instrumental in ameliorating the socio economic conditions of the people living below poverty line. She said workers and helpers, having direct contact with the people, should understand the nature of their job and dedicate themselves for welfare of the people. She asked the workers and helpers to launch door to door campaign in their areas and aware people about the welfare and development programmes of the department.
The Minister said that Anganwari workers and helpers have pivotal role in removing the social evils besides making the life of the people more comfortable. She said “one idea of worker and helpers can change the life of the persons by way of sensitizing the people about the ill effects of this dreaded disease. She said the persons belonging to weaker sections of the society are more vulnerable because of their low level of awareness about the dreaded disease. She said every year 3 million people die by this disease and so far 20 million people across the globe have fallen victim to it.
Later, cheques worth Rs. 25 lakh were distributed among 25 widows under National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS).
Director, Social Welfare, Jammu Mehmood Rana, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Samba besides officers from ICDS and Social Welfare Department were present on the occasion.
World Aids Day was also observed today in Town hall Ganderbal by District Legal Services Authority which was attended by large number of Asha workers and Anganwari workers, district officers, Bar members, CMO Ganderbal, BMO Ganderbal and other functionaries of medical department also participated.
Addressing the gathering, Principal District and Sessions Judge impressed upon the people to adhere to the moral values and desist from indulging in immoral activities responsible for infecting the dreadful diseases.
: Rotary club Jammu Tawi in Association with GFATM Project under Psychology Department University of jammu celebrated world’s Aids Day today here in Jammu University Campus.The study material on Aids ,brochures, pamphlets were distributed to spread the awareness regarding Aids.President Dr.Dushyant and HOD Psychology were present on the occassion
Red ribbons were pinned to the students ,Teachers of various departments of the University to make them realize the importance and significance of this day.
Dean of student welfare University of Jammu was the chief guest on the occasion
Renowned Psychologist Dr s Chand Trehan Rotarian President Dr Dushyant chowdhry,Rtn Aseem Tandon,Rtn PP Kuldeep Rai,Rtn PP Anil Gupta,rtn Subash Gandotra,rtn Raman Sherpuri Rtn Tp Broca , Vksharma and vk Mehra were also present.