Guj health dept launches campaign on HIV/AIDS awareness

Gandhinagar, Jan 18 (PTI) The Gujarat health and familywelfare department today launched state-wide awarenesscampaign on HIV/AIDS, targeting people living in the ruralarea.

"The awareness campaign which began today would continuetill March 31 and is likely to cover 2,250 villages of 26districts in the next 75 days," state health ministerJaynarayan Vyas told mediapersons here.

He said the primary target of this awareness campaignwere youth and women in the rural and semi-urban areas,migrant population which are more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS andother stakeholders like NGOs and civil rights groups.

"For the purpose of creating awareness, 10 ''AarogyaRaths'' (health caravans) have been designed by modifyingtrucks. These trucks have posters and awareness materials onit for the people to see," Vyas said.

The campaign would be executed by the Gujarat State AidsControl Society (GSACS).

Various media like skits, street-theatre, spotexhibiting, group discussion, video shows would be used duringthe campaign in villages to create awareness.

The objectives of the campaign is to create awareness,increase uptake of HIV and sexually transmitted infectionsrelated service in rural areas and reduce discriminationagainst people with HIV/AIDS.