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Awareness vital in keeping HIV at bay: Valsaraj

Photo: T. Singaravelou

Towards progress: Health Minister E. Valsaraj speaking at a programme organised on the occasion of the World AIDS Day in Puducherry on Monday. —

PUDUCHERRY: Home Minister E. Valsaraj, who also holds the health portfolio, stressed the importance of awareness among people and cooperation from all in the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Shortly after inaugurating a workshop for police officers on the occasion of World AIDS Day on Monday, conducted by the Pondicherry AIDS Control Society (PACS), he said HIV/AIDS should be controlled. Puducherry had moved away from the high risk group States to the low risk group States, he said.

Noting that there were condom vending machines at colleges, bus stands, railway stations and public places earlier, he said that such machines could be installed again.

Awareness programmes for prisoners should also be organised, he added.

Outlining the role of police personnel in the prevention of HIV/AIDS, Inspector-General of Police S. Vasudeva Rao said that there were no known cases of HIV among the police in Puducherry in the last five years.

“Awareness is crucial in the prevention of HIV/AIDS. Good nutrition and medical care can prolong the life of HIV patients. With the latest medical care and research, HIV is not a case of lost hope for positive persons,” he pointed out.

With trials on for vaccinations, he said that till then, preventive efforts and educative campaigns had to continue in a vigorous manner. He stressed the need for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government departments to work together.

“According to reports from the United Nations, funds allotted for HIV were not efficiently utilised. There is a need to emphasise for an accounting system. NGOs can do a good work if properly controlled, motivated and guided,” he said.

Mr. Rao said that the Central Paramilitary Forces had started a programme in the last five years for HIV/AIDS prevention.

“But nobody speaks about the State police. As many as 15 lakh personnel are there in the State police and there is no focussed attention. We need to educate the police to take care of them and take up proactive policing by conducting awareness camps for general public,” he exhorted.

He requested PACS to conduct lectures for police personnel during refresher programmes and recruitment training programmes. “Continuous awareness and vigilance is important. Police personnel will have to focus on vulnerable sections of society such as truck drivers and continue campaign for an AIDS-free society,” he said.

Project director of PACS Gilbert Fernandez said that adolescent education programme would be started for students of Standard VIII to XII this year.

Member of Legislative Assembly Om Sakthi Sekar urged the government to implement the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission for the Police Department.

Earlier, the Home Minister said that the recent rains resulted in water logging in areas due to dumping of plastic.

“If this situation continues, plastic should be banned. Civic sense is important,” he said.

Secretary (Health) T.M. Balakrishnan, Director of Health Dilip Kumar Baliga and Chairperson of Puducherry Municipality B. Sridevi spoke.

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