JOIN USZilla Panchayat President B A Harish on Thursday laid stress on creating awareness among people against AIDS compulsorily.
Participating in World AIDS Day programme organised by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat, Department of Health and Family Welfare along with several other organisations at Kaveri Kalakshetra here, Harish said, “People should be aware of HIV infection. It may help them, mainly youths, to shape a better life. Inculcation of values leads to a better life.”
Zilla Panchayat Vice President Lokeshwari Gopal advised against treating HIV infected people in an inferior manner. Instead, one should instil confidence among them to lead a better life, she said.
Giving a call to pregnant women to compulsorily undergo AIDS related tests, Lokeshwari said the affected people should be helped to be part of the society.
Zilla Panchayat’s Standing Committee on Public Health and Education Chairman Shashi Subramani said, “Awareness programmes should be conducted at various places irrespective of city and rural areas and also tribal hamlets.”
Deputy Commissioner Richard Vincent D’Souza said, “In the last three years, there is a decline in the number of HIV infected cases in Kodagu district. It can be attributed to the continuous awareness programmes being conducted by various departments along with organisations.”
District Health Officer Dr O R Srirangappa said both teachers and parents should create awareness against AIDS among the children. In the case of HIV infection, there are possibilities of failure of antibodies eventually leading to death of the infected person, he said.
Earlier, District and Sessions Court Judge RKGMM Mahaswamiji flagged off a rally.