Collective action needed to end AIDS by 2030: Health director

Panaji: The director of health services, Vandana Dhume, on Monday said that collective efforts are required to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

At a World AIDS Day event in Panaji, Dhume said, “We must stand together across communities, nations, and continents to ensure that everyone has access to prevention, treatment, and care.”

She emphasised that education is the most effective tool against this illness. Dhume highlighted the impact of stigma and discrimination in avoiding treatment, calling for transparent discussions and all-inclusive policies. “Create a stigma-free environment; each of us has a role to play in this fight,” she further stated.

At the event, Umesh Kamat, a lecturer from GMC’s department of community medicine, delivered a presentation on the importance of HIV and AIDS awareness and called for an end to discrimination against those affected.