Health experts at a post-rally discussion have stressed on raising mass awareness among the vulnerable group people for preventing the deadly HIV/AIDS diseases.
They expressed the opinion at a discussion meeting , organised by the Civil Surgeon Office at the conference room of Sadar Hospital in Rangpur in observance of The World AIDS Day-2019 with the day’s theme ‘Communities Make the Difference’ .
Sadar Upazila Health Complex, Light House, LAMB Hospital, Surjer Hanshi Clinic, Deep Eye Care Foundation, BRAC, Family Planning Association of Bangladesh and Merry Stopes Clinic extended assistance in observing the day.
Earlier, Divisional Director (Health) Dr. Mostafa Khaled Ahmed and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Asib Ahsan inaugurated the day’s programme before leading a huge rally on the city streets.
Later, Civil Surgeon Dr. Herombo Kumar Rou attended the discussion as the chief guest with Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr. Kaniz Sabiha in the chair.
District Superintendent for Health Arbindu Kumar Modak and Executives of different non-governmental organisations also spoke.
The speakers said HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are posing a severe threat to human life and suggested for taking special measures to stop the spread of these diseases.
They stressed on enhancing awareness raising activities to check the possibility of further spread of HIV/AIDS in the country, especially in bordering areas, as the situation was deteriorating in neighbouring countries.
CS in his speech called for enhancing GO-NGO efforts to create public awareness at community levels and make the vulnerable group people and floating sex workers conscious to get rid of the deadly diseases of HIV/AIDS.
Another report adds: Health experts in Rajshahi on Sunday called for mass awareness, especially among the youths to prevent spread of HIV/AIDS in the region.
They underscored for creating mass awareness about diseases like AIDS, health rules during sexual contacts, developing religious ethics and moral values, and involving the socio-religious and political leaders for prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Civil Surgeon Office organized the discussion in association with nine NGOs and voluntary organizations to mark the World AIDS Day-2019 in the city. ‘Communities make the difference’ was the main theme of the day.
Chaired by Deputy civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Superintendent of Divisional Police Hospital Dr Nazrul Islam, Junior Consultant of Tuberculosis Clinic Dr Chandan Kumar Pramanik, Executive Director of Asakta Punarbasan Kendro Abul Bashar and District Brac Representative Jahedul Islam.
Dr Chandan Kumar Pramanik underscored the need for substantial and sustainable reduction of the existing HIV/AIDS risks. He stressed on concerted efforts of all quarters especially the community people.
He said HIV/AIDS is not only a health issue but also social concern and called for more coordination among different organizations and stakeholders to attain cherished results.
Dr Sobhan added that stigma and negative attitude towards the vulnerable population are the main challenge to prevent the HIV/AIDS.
Jahedul Islam emphasized the need for protecting the infected persons from their human rights violations as they are also the integral part of the society.
He stated that the universal access is a commitment to scale up access to HIV treatment, prevention, care and support with the cooperation from government development partners and civil society.
