Senapati observes World AIDS Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, December 02 2018:
The District AIDS and Control Committee, Senapati have observed the World AIDS Day at Mini Stadium, Senapati under the theme, "Know Your Status" yesterday.
The programme was graced by Somorjit Salam (IAS) DC Senapati as Chief Guest, Lakshay Sharma (IPS) SDPO Senapati as Guest of Honour and Dr H Loli Mao CMO Senapati as functional President.
A mass rally was carried out from CMO Office to Mini Stadium, Senapati, in connection to the programme, with placards written as "AIDS has no cure, the nation needs AIDS free men", "Anyone can avoid AIDS", "Test your blood, test your status", "Tomorrow may be a day too late", "Spread the message, not the virus", "Carelessness and ignorance can divest your life by HTV/AIDS" "Make yourself HIV Free and Prevention is the only way" held aloft during the rally.
A silent prayer was observed for 2 minutes in honour of the people who have died of the disease and for people living with HTV before the start of the programme.
Dr Adaphro, District AIDS Control Officer in her keynote address said that it is the 30th year that the day is observed as World AIDS Day.
It is an opportunity to know the disease and be aware of it, she said.
While explaining the meaning of the disease, she also mentioned how it spreads from one person to another and the ways to avoid them.
She also informed about the numbers of persons infected by HIV in the district and said that the district reportedly recorded 61 deaths due to AIDS related issues.
The District AIDS Control Officer also mentioned the importance HIV test for pregnant women in order to avoid the spread of the disease from the mother to child.
Two ladies of People Living with HTV/AIDS shared their testimonies on how they were infected by their husbands and how they have been living with their children at present.
They also urged the concerned higher authorities to extend all possible help to meet their need.
Guest of honour, Lakshay Sharma (IPS) asserted that the office of SDPO, Senapati will extend full support for the betterment ofthe district and said that it is unfortunate for PLHIV facing social stigma.
Speaking as the chief guest, Somorjit Salam (IAS) DC Senapati asked everyone to have enough knowledge of the disease to stop further spread of the disease while asserting that having awareness of the disease could combat the spread of the disease.
Advising the PLHTV, the DC of the district urged to stay positive and live a healthy life by taking proper medication every day and asked them to orient themselves in the right direction and do not any negative thing let their spirit down.
The DC later urged the gathering to be aware and know their status by getting tested, the earlier, the better.
Dr H Loli Mao, CMO, Senapati said that the day is observed to educate and create awareness to the people.
The CMO of the district said that the red ribbon worn on this day signifies the concern and love of all for PLHIV on this World AIDS Day.
Dr Loli also said that out of the total HIV infected people, one-fourth of them are innocent infected by the deadly disease.
Detecting early could prolong the life span of a person, he said and asked all to get tested to know their statuses.
It was only mono therapy in the past, the CMO said and added that the medicines are now multi therapy that could prolong the life span like taking ART properly.
The CMO later asked the gathering to spread the message to get one tested and urged all to join hands together to bring HIV free district in future.
Later, prize distribution to the winners of Spot Painting competition held on November 29 on the topic, "Know your status" were distributed by the guests.
Solomon Pao, L Pfoza and Ng George Thaovei all from New Life Hr Sec School, Senapati stood the first, second and third position while consolation prizes were distributed to some other participants.
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