AIDS awareness campaign in colleges, offices today

JAIPUR: On the occasion of World AIDS Day on December 1, Rajasthan State AIDS Control Society (RSACS) will launch a special awareness drive in colleges and offices.
Under the drive, over 6,000 college students, who are the members of the Red Ribbon Clubs (RRCs), formed in the colleges of Jaipur district have been deputed to distribute awareness material in government and semi-government offices located in different areas.
“The theme of World AIDS Day this year is about “Getting to Zero,” an RSACS official said adding, “It means zero new HIV infections , zero discrimination and zero Aids related deaths,” he said.
Members of RRCs will distribute red ribbons and wrist bands to create an awareness on HIV/AIDS & its allied issues.
NCC cadets have also been involved in the awareness drive. A signature campaign has also been organized on the occasion.
The activities are being carried on across the state through the members of Red Ribbon Clubs and NCC cadets.
The RSACS official said efforts are also intensified to ensure a wide range of prevention programmes, including information, education and communication, aimed at reducing risk-taking behaviours, expanded access to counseling and testing , safe blood supplies, develop strategies to combat stigma and social exclusion connected with the global pandemic.
He added the RSACS has been making adequate efforts both at policy as well as programme level to support and improve the lives of people living with HIV with focus on three-fold dimensions of HIV programming i.e., prevention, treatment & care & support.
The society has also facilitated the opening of Centre for Women & Children in Jaipur.
It shall not only bring to the affected women and children a relief and mental and psychological respite but would also help secure better and bright future for them so that they become good citizens of tomorrow and contribute substantially and significantly towards the society and nation building.
Between 2005 and 2006, prevalence of HIV/AIDS has gone up from 0.12 to 0.17 per cent in Rajasthan and in 2009 estimated 76,000 people between the age group of 15 and 49 years in Rajasthan have HIV/AIDS infections.