Walks, fasts, campaigns highlight need for prevention

Chennai, Dec 1 (UNI) HIV Awareness health walk, fast for setting up exclusive clinics to provide free Anti-Retroviral Tablets (ARTs), and a plethora of awareness campaigns to prevent discrimination and promote use of condoms for safe sex, marked the World Aids Day in Tamil Nadu today.

The Awareness Health walk was organised by the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital which would be conducting various activities over the next fortnight to increase awareness on prevention and control of HIV and AIDS.

Carrying placards containing messages in support of the AIDS/HIV victims, more than 200 people, including doctors and nurses, and employees of various establishments covered under the ESIC participated in the Health Walk which was inaugurated by Hospital Director Dr Sharadha Sharma.

The Hospital also organised audio/visual education and health education programme in their working place to improve the knowledge about AIDS and HIV.

Popular Kollywood actor Parthiban, known for his social service activities, launched a campaign to promote use of condoms for safe sex.

The programme, organised by Population Services International (PSI), was laced with cultural programmes like folk dances and beating of drums. Several women and volunteers of PSI participated in the campaign held in front of Udayam theatre at Ashok Nagar area in the city.

The participants also raised slogans stating that condoms act as a shield for one's life.

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