Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) Observed World AIDS Day

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: On the occasion of World AIDS Day, the Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) centrally organized an event at Sri Sri Madhabdev International Auditorium of Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati on Sunday.

Attending the event Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika said that the biggest weapon to fight this virus is ‘awareness’. He added, “We’ve to be aware of AIDS and take necessary steps to prevent it. The biggest challenge for us is that we’re yet to create a society where an HIV patient can openly discuss his problems without any hesitation.”

Appealing to everyone for safe blood donation Commissioner and Secretary to the Health & Family Welfare department and Project Director of the Assam State AIDS Control Society Anurag Goel said, “We must fight against the prejudices of the society”. He added, “Now time has come that not only the government but general public should also realize the danger of this virus. We’ve witnessed recently that though Assam only has 0.06% prevalence of this virus, yet since 2018 the cases have been increasing. The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is ‘communities make the difference’.”

Sharing her experience with HIV positive people noted actress Dr. Akashitora said that she thinks of her social responsibility to work for this group of people. Mission Director of NHM Lakshmanan S said, “We actually need to vaccinate the minds of people to come out of the prejudices.”

A representative from transgender community said that the transgender community is also putting continuous effort to fight the virus.

Various organizations from different parts of the State were also rewarded for their effort in eradicating this virus through voluntary blood donation.

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