Agartala, Dec 1 : In commemoration of World AIDS Day, various segments of the community, including school and college students, NSS volunteers, NGOs, health workers, clubs, and individuals living with HIV/AIDS, joined an awareness rally in Agartala.
The rally, initiated from the Umakanta mini stadium, witnessed Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy, and Olympian gymnast Dipa Karmakar flagging off the ceremony and actively participating in the awareness march.
The primary objective of the rally was to mark World AIDS Day, shedding light on prevention and treatment for HIV-positive individuals while fostering public awareness.
Highlighting the ongoing challenge, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha stated that Tripura, a northeastern state bordering India, currently records more than 5259 cases of HIV infection. Of these, 1022 are women, 4246 are male, and one individual identifies as transgender.
Emphasizing the severity of the situation, he acknowledged that the government alone cannot resolve this crisis.
The Chief Minister revealed alarming statistics, indicating an average of 150 to 200 new AIDS cases diagnosed monthly in Tripura.
Dr. Saha attributed the rise in AIDS cases in the state to an increasing number of intravenous drug users, emphasizing the need for a multifaceted approach to address the issue effectively.
Notably, the total number of infected students stands at 575.
Meantime, Dr. Anuradha Majumder, the Project Officer of Tripura AIDS Control Society (TACS), expressed concern over the shifting status of Tripura from category 4 to category 3 among HIV prevalence states.
She disclosed that 50 percent of the detected AIDS cases were linked to intravenous drug use, underscoring the urgency of addressing this specific aspect of the crisis.
The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is ‘Let Community Lead,’ signifying the importance of community-driven efforts in tackling the ongoing challenges posed by HIV/AIDS.
Since its inception on December 1, 1988, World AIDS Day has aimed at fundraising, increasing awareness, combating prejudice, and enhancing education on HIV/AIDS.
