State govt and agencies must coordinate to combat HIV cases

Patna, Aug 07 (UNI) The incidence of HIV and the dreaded AIDS in Bihar may increase if the state government and various agencies, operating to combat the disease, failed to work in tandem.

Professor Arvind Singhal, Advisor and Communication Consultant, told reporters here yesterday that lack of awareness among the people about measures to be taken for prevention of the disease was the major factor behind the high rate of prevalence of HIV positive cases in Bihar.

According to an estimate, the prevalence rate of HIV-positive cases was more than one per cent in some districts of Bihar, he said.

Stressing on the need of strong political willpower to fight the menace, Mr Singhal cited the example of Uganda where the President himself appeared on television, giving his blood sample for the HIV test.

Such kind of gesture from a head of a government would encourage the masses to shed their inhibitions in visiting the labs for HIV tests, he added.

''The role of the media is also important in creating awareness among the masses about prevention measures to fight the disease,'' he said, adding that the media fraternity should take up the responsibility seriously.

Mr Singhal advocated for greater role of street corner dramas to spread awareness in the rural areas about the disease.

The Lok-Ras-Rang was organised in Nalanda and East Champaran districts to spread the message through street corner dramas about leading a healthy life with high moral standards to fight the menace, he added.

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