Pics: Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (JD)
Mangaluru, Dec 1: The AJ Hospital and Research Centre in association with AJ Institute of Dental Sciences, AJ Institute of Medical Sciences, Departments of Public Health, dentistry and NSS units of AJIDS, jointly organised signature and red ribbon campaign as a mark to observe World AIDS Day and for spreading awareness about prevention of AIDS and HIV at A J Hospital premises on Thursday, December 1.
The dignitaries gathered including the students and the staffs of various departments of the hospital released the balloons and also posed for group photograph by raising their hands with the message spreading the awareness on AIDS.
Speaking on the occasion the dean of AJ institute of medical sciences Dr Ashok Hegde briefed about the various preventive measures and myths about AIDS. "HIV does not spread through shaking hands, sharing combs, eating from the same plate or hugging, sitting close HIV positive people, sharing towels or clothes, sharing toilets, or through mosquitoes, bedbugs, other insects or animals.” he said.
"HIV/AIDS can be prevented. One must practice ABC's of safe sex. 'A' stands for abstinence form, 'B' for being faithful to your partner, and 'C' for using condoms correctly and consistently. Like each one of us, HIV positive individuals can live a long and healthy life if they take complete and regular treatment. An individual positive for HIV/AIDS has the same rights and should face no discrimination because of his or her condition.” he added.
"The only way to know if you have HIV is to be tested at the nearest ICTC. The HIV/AIDS results are kept confidential and the person is not forced to disclose the results of the test to anyone." he concluded.
Col Dr S Jayaram the medical superintendent of AJIMS and RC said that most of the people tested HIV positive in the district are from other parts of the state and the country who have come here for work.
“Education about the prevention is the best vaccine as the vaccine for the prevention of HIV virus is yet to be invented. World Health Organisation and the medical wing of United Nations Organisation have set a target of year 2030 to completely end the vicious cycle of AIDS. AJHRC is working towards the same goal by conducting tests in this regard.” Col Dr S Jayaram informed.