Students from schools and colleges, social activists from various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), members of the Jharkhand State Aids Control Society (JSACS), staffs from Ranchi University and common citizens joined hands with a handful of HIV positive people and took to the streets in the city with gusto. This march was aimed to create awareness about the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day-zero infection, zero discrimination and zero death on Tuesday.
JSACS and Ranchi University took out this rally from Shahid Chowk, Main Road to Dikshant Mandap in Ranchi University, Morabadi. A number of folk art performances such as dance, drama and song were organised by the Ranchi University and lala lajpat Rai School. The participants in today’s awareness programme included students from Ranchi College, Ranchi Women’s College, Gossner College, SS Memorial College, Nirmala College, St. Xavier’s and lala lajpat Rai School.
“The march started with about 400 people in total who joined us at the starting point in Main Road but gradually, as we proceeded, more people came pouring in. We addressed a total gathering of people over 800 at the grounds and gave full information about the HIV virus and AIDS,” said Dr BP Chaurasia, Additional Project Director, JSACS.
Chaurasia also said that the number of HIV positive patients stands quite tall at 18,012 but the prevalence rate of 0.25 for the year 2013-14 has reduced to 0.19 this year. He explained
the main four reasons through which HIV/AIDS spreads. “Unprotected sex, unsafe blood transfusion and donation, transmission of the disease from mother to child and through used syringes are the main reasons that cause the disease to spread. Pregnant women need to take extra care and can look out for symptoms of HIV such as vaginal bleeding, swelling of arms and legs, no movement of the baby, breathlessness, stomachache and such. We are trying to bring in as much aids to help patients in their treatment and transportation and soon should have several announcements to make, if things go according to plan,” said Chaurasia.
Meanwhile, AIDS awareness campaign was organised by Central Mine Planning Design Institute (CMPDI) too, today. The programme will also witness a Chess Tournament from tomorrow for two days that has been organised by CMPDI Sports Control Board at the Rabindra Bhavan. Health Superintendent Dr Om Prakash highlighted the importance of getting tested for HIV/AIDS and that by stopping discrimination with HIV positive people can only help them lead a normal life. “The entire world observes this day to extend their full support to HIV positive people and we should only encourage people to come forward for treatment without any fear of the society,” said Prakash.