Plans are there to set up a national level institution in the state to provide better medical services to the HIV infected persons, enunciated Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb in a programme organised with the initiative of Family Welfare and Preventive Medicines department on the occasion of World AIDS Day today at Pragna Bhavan. ‘
End Inequalities, End AIDS, End Pandemics’ was this year’s theme of World AIDS Day by Tripura State AIDS Control Society. A few persons were felicitated on this day for setting a unique example of paying their service despite being HIV infected and returning to normal life from the path of drug addiction. The Chief Minister officially launched the web portal of AIDS Control Society. He hoped for everyone’s cooperation to take responsibility on World AIDS Day towards building drug and HIV free Tripura.
The Chief Minister in the programme said, protecting the youth from the evil forces like drugs requires a concerted effort of all including women to prevent HIV infection. The state government is keeping a close eye on the recent HIV infection statistics. Necessary instructions have been given to provide appropriate medical services through early detection of the infected persons. Various voluntary organisations including NSS may be involved in this mission. The Chief Minister emphasized taking treatment at the right time without hiding the possibility of being infected.
The Chief Minister also said, the government is moving ahead with various innovative plans including Start-ups, IT Hub etc., to build a secure and bright future for the young generation. Prior to that, there is a need for healthy living of the youth community for which everyone has to become responsible.
The Chief Minister instructed department officials to solve a problem going into the root of it. He also instructed to do more tests where there are abnormal infection rates in order to identify and evaluate the cause of the increase in infections. He said, one of the conditions to prevent HIV infection is to keep the youth away from using drugs and syringes. Besides treatment, first and foremost a change of mindset is needed in this regard. He emphasized bringing back those who have been HIV infected or mistakenly intoxicated into the mainstream of life in a friendly way without treating them as untouchables. The Chief Minister said, the government is working on a plan to set up a national level medical centre with modern facilities to provide better treatment to the HIV infected persons. Women must play a leading role in keeping the young generation free from the grip of drugs. The way the state has been able to reduce the infant mortality rate or reduce the incidence of Corona virus infection, in the same way efforts to prevent AIDS must continue. He called upon the people of all sections of the society to work together for the control of diseases like HIV infection and drug addiction in a concerted effort by the social education and social welfare, education, police administration and other departments.
Social Education and Social Welfare department Minister Santana Chakma said, prevention of AIDS first and foremost requires a thorough understanding of AIDS. Instead of forcing someone to leave this path, success can only be achieved by giving them proper treatment after proper counselling. Social pensions are being provided by the social welfare department to the eligible beneficiaries among the HIV infected. In addition to that, newly infected ones are being enlisted for the same. The Minister hoped for everyone’s joint cooperation to overcome this problem.
Principal Secretary of Health J.K Sinha said, the government is working to decentralize AIDS medical services. A bunch of plans are being implemented to bring the benefits of treatment to the infected people soon enough which requires public participation. Various NGOs are working in the state to create awareness and support programmes. He advised the health department and NGOs to work beyond the set targets. He also emphasized upon the need to increase its practical application in the field of medicine from the experience gained from various research papers on AIDS or HIV infection. He hoped that all efforts will be made to control AIDS and its permanent solution like Covid-19. Others present in the programme were ICA Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, Director of Family Welfare and Preventive Medicines department and Director of AIDS Control Society Dr. Radha Debbarma, and Director of Health Subhashish Debbarma.
