Sustained AIDS campaign yields better results in Himachal

Shimla, Dec 6 (PTI) Focused and sustained AIDS/HIV
awareness campaigns have worked wonders in the northern Indian
state of Himachal Pradesh with the state witnessing a big leap
in the number of people volunteering to test for the deadly
virus and in the use of condoms among couples.

While a total of 13,000 people in the state had
volunteered for the test in 21 integrated council and testing
centres in 2007-2008, the figure has jumped to 23,000 in the
last seven months since April in the current fiscal, the
state's Director of Health and Family welfare, Sulakshana
Puri, told PTI.

She said 23 new testing centres have been added to
provide the facility to people at their doorsteps.

Puri said sustained awareness campaign for condoms has
increased its use by almost five percent in the state.

Condom use among married couple has been recorded at
12 percent, she said adding that a total of 94,079 people
used condoms in 2007-08 in the state.

The director said one important reason for the increase
is the distribution of condoms at non-conventional depots.

In addition to supply of condoms at conventional centres
like hospitals and heath centres, the contraceptive has been
made available at non-conventional places like roadside dhabas
along national/state Highways, Sulabh lavatories, barber's
shops, STD booths, truck/taxi hiring centres, general post
offices, bus stands and railway stations free of costs, she
added.

Puri said due to all round cooperation among departments
of the state government, the AIDS awareness campaign has been
expanded in the state.

She said the campaign gained momentum after roping in
hundreds of Aganwadi centres, 166 colleges, 176 Nehru Yuva
Kendra and three universities where Red Ribbon clubs have been
formed for the purpose.

On World AIDS day on December 1, the Chief Minister
flagged off Information Educational Counselling (IEC) vehicles
which move around in colleges and educational institutes to
impart information about AIDS/HIV to the people.

Himachal Pradesh has at present has 477 cases of
full-blown AIDS cases while the number of HIV positive persons
is 2,511.

The highest number of AIDS patients in the state is
recored in Hamirpur, the native district of Chief Minister
Prem Kumar Dhumal, at 106 followed by Shimla (93) and Mandi
(91).

Among its several welfare measures, the state government
has provided people with HIV or suffering from AIDS free
journey with one attendant on state buses while visiting
medical centres.