Vizag Collector calls for greater HIV/AIDS awareness

Visakhapatnam district Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore on Monday mentioned that growing public consciousness about HIV/AIDS was important to controlling the unfold of the illness. He urged individuals to deal with individuals dwelling with HIV equally and keep away from discrimination, misconceptions and neglect.

Mr. Kishore, together with Joint Collector G. Vidyadhari and officers, launched HIV/AIDS consciousness publicity materials and a well being handbook ready by the Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Management Society (APSACS) on the Collectorate.

The Collector suggested {couples} to bear HIV checks earlier than being pregnant, preserve mutual belief, keep away from sharing used needles and syringes, and use screened, protected blood when required.

The Collector added that discrimination in opposition to individuals dwelling with HIV was an offence underneath the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Management) Act, 2017. He knowledgeable that these dwelling with HIV/AIDS had equal rights to employment, schooling and medical providers.

He urged individuals to dispel misconceptions and search info, recommendation and steerage via the APSACS toll-free helpline 1097.

District Medical and Well being Officer P. Jagadishwara Rao, District Coordinator of Hospital Providers Dr. Narendra Singh, Extra District Coordinator Satyaveni and officers from numerous departments attended the programme.