World AIDS Day 2023 on the theme ‘Let Communities Lead’ in Guwahati city

 GUWAHATI: Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel along with Hon’ble Minister, Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Assam, Sh. Keshab Mahanta, inaugurated the World AIDS Day event at Srimanta Sankaradeva International Auditorium, Guwahati, Assam.

The event was attended by more than 1500 people cutting across states, people living with HIV (PLHIV) communities, NGOs, CSOs, development partners and youth. Also present at the event were Sh. Avinash Joshi, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Assam, Ms. Nidhi Kesarwani, IAS, Director, NACO, Mr. David Bridger, UNAIDS, Country Director, and all Deputy Director Generals from NACO.

Aligning with the theme of World AIDS Day 2023 ‘Let Communities Lead’, Prof. Baghel emphasized on the programme’s seamless and continuous effort in the generation of evidences to assess its impact and other initiatives in a rigorous technical and scientific manner. The Government of India has engaged communities in advocacy and providing services, awareness and counselling to promote safe behaviours, promote community-based testing, income-generation opportunities and linking their peers with social protection schemes.

“The HIV Estimates 2022 and the Sankalak report released today is a stepping stone towards disease burden estimation in India; this is intrinsic to aid accurate, consistent and meaningful health policies and programmes”, he added. The Hon’ble MoS also shared his contentment towards the adoption of new age Communication strategies by NACO and SACS to create awareness and to decrease stigma and discrimination among general population.

The minister said that around 17 lakh people in India are living with HIV infection and 95% of them are receiving free medical facilities from the government, while addressing the World AIDS Day 2023 event at Guwahati.

The event also saw the release and launch of the following documents:

a. SANKALAK: 5th Edition - The flagship report providing data-driven comprehensive progress across all components of NACP.

b. India HIV Estimates 2022: Technical Report - The latest round in the series updating the epidemiological evidence in the country.

c. NACO Calendar 2024

d. National Communication Strategy - A comprehensive framework outlining strategic approach to effectively communicating and disseminating vital information pertaining to HIV/AIDS/STI prevention, treatment, care & support across the nation.

e. Laboratory Technical Guidelines on Early Infant Diagnosis for HIV-Exposed Infants - A comprehensive overview of the national initiative, prophylactic measures, laboratory processes including sample collection, testing and reporting.

f. Prevention Progress Update 2022-23 - To update the progress, analyse and disseminate on the important activities for provision of services to HRGs, Bridge Populations, prisons populations and other at risk and vulnerable populations under NACP.

g. Research Compendium, Volume-I, from Research Studies undertaken by State AIDS Control Societies in FY 2021- 22 - focuses on ensuring translation of research outputs into programmatic action and policy formulation.

Cultural and musical performances by representatives from three states i.e. Chhattisgarh, Nagaland and Assam were presented on themes of HIV and STI to generate greater involvement of the general audience. Several stalls displaying the programmatic achievements and latest interventions were also placed at the event venue. Two speakers from the Community also shared their experience about how the services under NACP continue to benefit them.

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