MONDAY, 25 JUNE 2012
22:14
PNS | BALANGIR
HITS: 10
After its arrival in 2008 and 2010, the Red Ribbon Express, once
again chugged into Balangir railway station from Kantabanji to generate
awareness about HIV/AIDS among the masses.
India stands third in terms of HIV
positive people after South Africa and Nigeria in the world. It is rapidly
rising in African countries because of lack of adequate treatment facility. In
India, though better medical facility for treatment of HIV/AIDS is available,
but the major constraint is lack of awareness, social set-up, where in
discussion of HIV/AIDS is considered as a taboo, besides treatment, observed
Balangir SP R Prakash speaking at a meeting organised by Zilla Swasthya Samiti
on the occasion.
The migrant population is more
vulnerable to the disease. To combat it effectively, awareness about the modes
of transmission of HIV, symptoms of AIDS and its prevention and the cooperation
of all sections of society are required, he said.
“We have grown up in such an
atmosphere that it does not approve of discussion on many such things. We need
a free and frank discussion with adolescent people about the causes, symptoms
and prevention of AIDS. There is a need to change the mindset of people and
youth, observed Balangir MP Balikesh Narayan Singhdeo while addressing a
gathering on the occasion. He hoped that the Red Ribbon Express will be able to
generate awareness among masses about HIV/AIDS and prevent spread of the
disease further.
So far a total of 585 HIV positives
have been detected in Balangir and a total of 285 people are undergoing Anti
Retroviral Therapy (ART) treatment here, informed senior medical officer of ART
centre DR PC Sahu.
“We administer Anti Retroviral
therapy treatment to the HIV positives, whose CD4 counts stand below 250. A CD4
machine has been installed in the district headquarters. Besides looking
after HIV patients of Balangir, Subarnapur, Boudh and Nuapada districts, we are
also looking after the patients of Sambalpur and even from Angul district, Sahu
informed further.
Among others, District Collector Sailendra
Narayan Dey, CDMO Dr Vikrant Kindo and chairperson of Balangir Municipality
Damayanti Bag addressed the gathering.
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