Assam launches HIV awareness campaign

Guwahati: Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) on Monday kicked off a two-month intensified information, education and communication (IEC) campaign to raise awareness about HIV and sexually transmitted infections, marking the occasion on International Youth Day at Sri Sri Madhavadeva International Auditorium in Guwahati. The event saw participation from Transport minister Keshab Mahanta, Assam govt commissioner and secretary Dr P Ashok Babu, ASACS project director Dr Indranoshee Das, youth icon Zublee Baruah, other dignitaries and college students from various institutions in Guwahati. Keshab Mahanta highlighted the rise in HIV prevalence in Assam and identified sharing needles among drug users as a significant transmission route. He emphasised the importance of the IEC campaign in view of the continuing supply of drugs by peddlers. “We are conducting campaigns against drugs and on the other side, the drug peddlers are supplying drugs to users. A vigorous campaign like intensified IEC campaign is required to make people aware against HIV and drugs,” he added. He further advised that lifestyle changes among the youth is necessary. Zublee Baruah, addressing the audience as a celebrity icon, noted her limited awareness of HIV and drugs during her youth. Post-COVID, she observed that some young people, possibly due to stress and frustration, have drifted towards destructive behaviour. She urged young attendees to be proactive, saying, “Your life is extremely precious. Don’t ruin your life. Create a chain and start talking about HIV. You are the future of the society.” Dr P Ashok Babu said, “Youths, due to stress and frustrations should not indulge in high-risk behaviour like injecting drugs. Failures and success are part of one’s life. One should always believe in oneself and keep trying again and again,” he advised. Dr Indranoshee Das said, “We are taking HIV awareness to the roots and through this campaign we aim to cover 1000 villages across 10 districts of Assam where the awareness meetings will be held in villages and educational institutions,” she explained. The event also recognised the efforts of the Red Ribbon Clubs from five educational institutions participating in the launch, honouring their activities in raising HIV awareness in their respective campuses. The intensified IEC campaign was rolled out simultaneously in ten high-prevalence districts in Assam, which include Kamrup (Metro), Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Tinsukia, Jorhat, Karbi Anglong, Cachar and Karimganj. The launch was marked by a variety of activities and events to spreading awareness about HIV and sexually transmitted infections.