Hoshiarpur: On the occasion of AIDS Day, the Health Department organized a walkathon on the theme ‘Take the Right Path: My Health, My Right’ from the local SD Senior Secondary School (Boys). MLA Brahm Shankar Jimpa and Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal flagged off the walkathon and also joined the walkathon. The walkathon passed through SD Senior Secondary School, Gaushala Bazaar, Sabzi Mandi, Ghanta Ghar, Kashmiri Bazaar, Pratap Chowk, Kanak Mandi and ended back at SD Senior Secondary School. The aim of the walkathon is to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS in the society. Addressing the awareness program in the school before the walkathon, MLA Brahm Shankar Jimpa said that spreading awareness about a serious disease like HIV/AIDS is the need of the hour. He said that such programs not only provide information but also make people aware about its prevention and treatment. He said that patients are treated free of cost in ART centers run by the Punjab government. The identity of the patients is also kept confidential.
Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal said that the only way to avoid diseases like AIDS is to adopt correct information and prevention methods. He said that HIV infected people should not be discriminated against. Rather, they should be sympathized with and their family members and other people should be given full support. He appreciated the participation of the youth in the program and said that the youth can play an important role in spreading this message.
Civil Surgeon Dr. Pawan Kumar said that the health department is providing free testing, counseling and medicine facilities to eliminate diseases like AIDS. He also said that such awareness campaigns will be conducted regularly so that maximum people can benefit from it. Earlier, the manager of the rehabilitation center, Nisha Rani, gave detailed information to the students about the causes, symptoms and treatment of AIDS.
Students, teachers, health workers and members of social organizations participated in the walkathon in large numbers. On this occasion, Sri Sanatam Dharam Sabha President Kamlesh Sharma, Secretary Dr. Bindusar Shukla, Chairman Vishnu Digambar Sood, Secretary Malhotra, Madhusudan Kalia, School Principal Puneet Kumar Sachdeva, Dr. Mahima Minhas, Deputy Mass Media Officer Ramandeep Kaur and Counselor Prashant Aadiya were also present.