A one day seminar was organised under the joint aegis of Uttarakhand State AIDS Control Society (USACS) and medical health and family welfare department at Town Hall here to mark the World AIDS Day on Saturday. The theme of this year’s World AIDS day is ‘Know your status’.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest and an eminent neuro-surgeon Dr Mahesh Kudiyal said that the HIV positive-afflicted patients should not be shunned by the society. “But the people should empathise with them and give them respect and love so that they do not feel alienated from the society,” he said and added that the AIDS–afflicted patients should be encouraged to lead normal life.
The additional project director (APD), USACS, Dr V S Tolia while welcoming the guests informed about the activities the society has undertaken to ease the suffering of the AIDS-afflicted people. He said that the society has been making the people aware of the disease and their duties to those down with it by telecasting programmes on the TV and airing shows on All India Radio (AIR).
Dr Tolia sad that a 24X7 help line number (1097) is being operated by the National Aids Control Society (NACO) for the purpose. “Our work would continue with full vigour in the coming days too,” he assured.
Representatives of many social organisations and the students were present on the occasion in a large number.