CRPF organize AIDS awareness programme in Jammu

[Guest guest]

Fighting AIDS: CRPF organize one day awareness programme

`AIDS provocative to social systems of globe'

News Agency of Kashmir 12/28/2007 8:31:26 PM

Reyaz Ahmed/Baramulla, Dec 28 (NAK): One day HIV/AIDS awareness camp

was organized by 53 Bn of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at

Baramulla in which a large number of CRPF personnel and students of

Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Baramulla participated.

Free HIV/AIDS tests were done during this camp.

Speaking of the occasion, Commanding Officer of 53 Bn CRPF

said, " While working in the conflict zone, security forces are more

accountable to public and owe responsibilities to the nation. So it

has become necessary for everyone of us to get aware about the deadly

disease and its preventive measures. "

Addressing to the gathering Principal ITI Baramulla Ghulam Mohammed

Bhat said, " AIDS has globally proved very fatal and have killed

people irrespective of their caste colour, creed and religion. Thus,

I feel it is high time to check it and aware people about it. "

" We inherit a fabric social system in Kashmir and must take into

account our legendry history. Let us pledge to join hands to fight

this disease, " added Bhat

While talking to NAK, Rajiv Dakha, a CRPF man said, " We are working

against the biological clock here under precarious circumstances and

our health is impacted during our duties. These kinds of programs

provide us an opportunity to share freely our health problem with

doctors. "

" So far the AIDS disease is concerned, it has become essential for

everyone to know the symptoms and prevention of this disease, " added

Rajiv.

While deliberating upon the various aspects of AIDS/HIV virus

Dr.Deepak Kumar said, " It has become provocative for the whole world

to curb this disease and awareness about it will play vital role in

its control. We are trying to involve students of local educational

institutions in this awareness campaign. "

He informed that Security Forces in India have their own internal

policy on HIV/AIDS and proactive mechanisms. HIV/AIDS is not

considered as a ground for dismissal from services, on its third

stage a soldier is told to go away from the services. We are taking

initiatives for reduction of stigma and discrimination.

When asked about the data of HIV positive cases in uniformed

personnel, he said that unfortunately, there is no comprehensive data

on the prevalence rates in the uniformed services.

Estimates based on the national average suggest that about 20,000

people in the uniformed services in India may be HIV positive, but

these have not been confirmed by researches. (NAK)

http://naknews.co.in/newsdet.aspx?11187