World AIDS Day to be observed on December 1

by Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, NOV 29

World AIDS Day is being observed on 1^st December every year throughout the world. This year the theme of the World AIDS Day is – “Getting to Zero - Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths”. Disclosing this here today Health & Family Welfare Minsiter Punjab Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal said that getting to zero campaign would run till 2015.  Global leaders have pledged to work towards Universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care, recognizing these as fundamental human rights.

Mr. Mittal further said that as per global estimates, a total of 34 million people were living with HIV. In 2011, around 2.5 million new HIV cases have been detected globally out of which 50% cases were of people from 15-24 years of age group. 1.7 million people died of AIDS related illness in 2011. As per the HIV estimations 2010-11, India is estimated to have 23.9 lakh people infected with HIV at an estimated adult prevalence of 0.31%. Adult HIV prevalence among men is 0.36%, while among women, it is it is 0.25%.

The Minister further said that 12 Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centres have been setup in 12 districts of the state under collaborative model of service delivery. The service has been initiated for the first time in the country in which the OST is being provided through Public Health system. After the successful implementation of the model in the state, it has been replicated all across country by National AIDS Control Organisation, Govt. of India.  At present around 2000 Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) are being provided OST under the program. Five more OST units will be made functional by March, 2013 in Mansa, Pathankot, Patti, Nakodar and Nawanshahr.

                        Prevention remains the mainstay of HIV intervention under National AIDS Control Program. Punjab State AIDS Control Society has initiated an up scaled HIV prevention and treatment services in accordance with National AIDS Control Program guidelines in the past 6 years.

         

Mr. Mittal stated that the focus of IEC activities is on promoting safe behaviours, reduction of stigma and discrimination and demand generation for HIV/AIDS services. The program includes IEC using outdoor mid media and mass media (print & electronic media), educational programs among school and college students on HIV/AIDS related issues. Similarly out of school youth are also being covered through Red Ribbon clubs and Youth Development centres. 4500 schools are being covered under Adolescent Education Programme. Red Ribbon Express (RRE) is visiting 8 districts of states from 15^th December 2012 to 1^st January 2013.

The estimated number of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in the state of Punjab is 56,928 with adult HIV prevalence of 0.32%. Adult HIV prevalence in the state (0.32%) is marginally higher as compared to National Adult HIV prevalence of 0.31%.  HIV Positive cases detected in Integrated Counseling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) are 33709. 15644 cases have been put on Anti Retroviral Treatment (ART) in the State.

    The Punjab State AIDS Control Society have released grant to all the districts of Punjab with the instructions to observe this day in order to disseminate the theme of World AIDS Day so that new infection in the State of Punjab could be stopped and care and support could be provided to the people living with HIV/AIDS without any discrimination.

To prevent this disease, the minister appeals to all citizens of Punjab to join hands with the state and work for achieving goal of “Getting to Zero - Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths”.