World AIDS Day 2024 under the theme, “Take the Right Path” was observed today in Khliehriat at a programme organized by Mihmyntdu Community Social Welfare Association (MCSWA), Khliehriat in collaboration with Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) and District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).
Sub-Divisional Officer (Sadar) Aditya Verma who attended the programme as the chief guest in his address said that World AIDS Day is an important occasion in creating public awareness on the issue of HIV/AIDS and lauded the commitment of all stakeholders to combat against the prevalence of the disease.
He spoke on the theme and said that in order to eradicate the prevalence of this disease there is a need to educate and empower the youth, public awareness, quality health services to all, advocate for community involvement as also to eliminate stigmatisation and discrimination against victims.
Verma highlighted the gathering on the 95-95-95 strategy which is the aim of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to end the HIV epidemic by 2030 and encouraged the health department in the district to continue their relentless efforts in providing quality services to the people. He called for collaborative efforts in order to gradually eradicate the epidemic from the district.
District Medical & Health Officer Dr D. Shylla in his speech spoke at length on the different modes through which the virus is transmitted. He also said that there is a need for community involvement in taking action and urged the gathering to know their status by getting themselves tested while also stressing on the importance of health.
Dr Shylla also highlighted the availability of health services in the district and impressed upon the gathering to spread the message on HIV/AIDS to their respective communities and encourage other citizens to get tested for the virus.
Others who spoke during the programme include Medical & Health Officer In-charge Opioid Substitution Therapy, East Jaintia Hills District, Dr J. Nongtdu, Medical & Health Officer In-charge Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre Dr D. Nongpluh, Assistant Director (Social Protection & Mainstreaming) MACS, Ajoy Lanong, and Panel Lawyer DLSA P.N Swer.
Other highlights of the programme include a short play performed by Self Help Group (SHG) members of Ladrymbai, extempore speech participated by ASHAs, etc.
