Bilkul Sateek News
Gurugram (Paridhi Dhasmana), August 12 – An Intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS was launched today at Government Girls College, Sector 14, Gurugram. The initiative, rolled out at the state level to mark International Youth Day, aims to spread accurate information on HIV transmission and challenge the ignorance, fear, and stigma that persist in society.
Haryana’s Minister for Health, Ayush, Medical Education and Research, Arti Singh Rao, inaugurated the campaign, joined by Gurugram MLA Mukesh Sharma and Additional Chief Secretary (H) cum Chairman, Haryana State AIDS Control Society (HSACS), Sudhir Rajpal, IAS. Guests of Honour included Dr. Manish Bansal, Head of Department, and Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Director General of Health Services (P).
Addressing the gathering, Rao emphasised that the fight against HIV/AIDS is not merely a health battle, but a societal one. “We are launching this intensified campaign so that we can build a society where every individual is respected. The objective is clear – educating the public on how HIV spreads and, equally important, how it does not spread,” she said.
She outlined that the campaign will reach communities through street plays, television, LED streams, railway station messaging, radio, and other outreach methods, including nukkad nataks. “The government is running these campaigns, but public participation is vital. This is not like COVID, where medicines could solve the problem. It needs collective effort,” she added.
Speaking to reporters later, Rao reiterated the need to expand awareness across Haryana to reduce cases of HIV/AIDS. She also responded to questions on issues faced by Ayushman Card holders in the state, expressing hope that the finance department would resolve payment backlogs soon. “Treatment should not stop. If anyone has halted services in the first three months of the financial year, it is absolutely wrong. Meetings with the Indian Medical Association will definitely take place,” she said.
The intensified IEC campaign will run statewide, aiming to foster informed communities and eliminate the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.
