Walkathon seeks to create awareness on HIV/AIDS

On World AIDS Day, the Health Department organised a walkathon at SD Senior Secondary School (Boys) on the theme, ‘Take the Right Path: My Health, My Right’. MLA Bram Shankar Jimpa and Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal flagged off the walkathon and also participated in it. The walkathon started from SD Senior Secondary School and passed through Gaushala Bazaar, Sabzi Mandi, Ghanta Ghar, Kashmiri Bazaar, Pratap Chowk, Kanak Mandi and ended back at SD Senior Secondary School. The purpose of the walkathon was to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS and remove the misconceptions related to it.

Addressing the awareness programme organised in the school before the walkathon, MLA Bram Shankar Jimpa said that spreading awareness about a serious disease like HIV/AIDS was the need of the hour. He said that such programmes not only provide information but also make people aware about prevention and treatment. He said that patients are treated free of cost at ART centres run by the Punjab government and the identity of the patients is kept confidential.

Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal said that the only way to avoid AIDS is to adopt correct information and preventive measures. He said that there should be no discrimination against HIV infected persons. Instead, they need sympathy and the family support. Appreciating the participation of the youth in the programme, he said they can play an important role in spreading this message.

Civil Surgeon Dr Pawan Kumar said that to eliminate a disease like AIDS, the Health Department was providing free testing, counselling and medicines. He also said that such awareness campaigns will be organised regularly so that the maximum number of people can benefit from it. Earlier, Rehabilitation Centre Manager Nisha Rani gave detailed information to the students about the causes, symptoms and treatment for AIDS.