Port Blair, Dec 03: The Andaman & Nicobar AIDS Control Society organized a function for the observance of WORLD AIDS DAY 2021 at Dr, B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium, PBMC here on Friday. The Society also felicitated the youth and adolescents who participated in the competitions and contributed in the celebration of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
Dr Munni Singhania, Director, Health Services, A&N Administration was the chief guest and Dr. Ashish Kumar Mandal, Director, Andaman & Nicobar Islands institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) was the guest of honour on the occasion. Dr. Munni Singhania, appreciated the work of A&N AIDS Control society and also advised to continue the work throughout the year. She also appreciated the folk troupe Balakrishna Nirthya Academy who performed on the occasion for their performance and the way message on HIV /AIDSwas delivered by them.
Dr. Ashish Kumar Mandal, said that to fight against HIV /AIDS, the youth leaders should come forward and lead the society to fight this syndrome. To break the chain of transmission of AIDS, social awareness plays an important role.
Earlier, Dr M. Joy, Project Director, A & N AIDS Control Society and Director, State Blood Transfusion Council, A & N Islands, welcomed the guests and the gathering and highlighted on this year’s theme ‘End inequalities. End AIDS. End pandemics’, highlighting the urgent need to end the inequalities that drive AIDS and other pandemics around the world. It’s time for bold leadership for equal societies, the right to health for all.
He also stated that the AIDS is a raging global issue and India rank in 3rd in AIDS Cases and stressed upon the participant to disseminate information on prevention measures, mode of transmission and create awareness among the youths. He also briefed about the activities of the ANACS through a presentation.
He also informed that, as an activity for the observance of World AIDS Day 2021, Folk performance and IEC van will start from 07th December 2021 to 29th December 2021 covering different areas of South Andaman both in Municipal and Rural areas. The folk team in their performance will inform the general public about HIV & AIDS. IEC van will also be disseminating messages on HIV & AIDS throughout its route through mike and announcement.
This year, for the celebration of Azadika Amrit Mahotsav # New India @75, awareness campaign on HIV, TB and Blood Donation is being conductedin highly vulnerable districts, which was launched phase-wise by NACO.
In Andaman & Nicobar Islands the campaign is being launched engaging all secondary and senior secondary schools of South Andaman dist. and North & Middle Andaman district and all colleges/ institute of A & N Islands.
In this function the participants from schools who participated in Painting competition on HIV&AIDS, Collage competition on Tuberculosis, Essay competition on Blood Donation and Reels competition on HIV & AIDS were felicitated. More than 400 students from 36 schools of South Andaman Zone actively participated in the competitions
Further the participant of college and youth clubs who participated in the quiz competition were also felicitated.22 teams from 11 colleges and 6 teams from Youth club participated in the competition.
Red Ribbon club (RRC) started in Andaman& Nicobar Islands in year of 2009 andthe first club was formed in Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya, Port Blair (JNRM). At present RRC has been formed in 13 colleges in A&N Islands. For the sustained performanceduring the year 2009 to 2019, NACO had awarded the “certificate of recognition” to three colleges of A & N Islands i,e, Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Dollygunj, Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya, Port Blair and Andaman College (ANCON) who were felicitated in this function.
A presentation on the activities of ANACS was presented by Dr, P.K. Sikdar, AD (LS) and Ms. Lakshaya, TO (SRL).
ANACS will be launching its website shortly and a presentation for introducing the website was presented by Nimai Mondal, Programmer SOVTECH.
Every year, on 1st December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day since 1988 as an international day dedicated to raise awareness on HIV & AIDS. This day provides an opportunity for people around the world to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS –related illness.
Dr. Jahanara Yasmeen, DD (IEC) ANACS proposed the vote of thanks.
