Participants highlight collective responsibility and put communities first
Mysore/Mysuru: Students of various nursing colleges, pharmacy colleges and educational institutions in the city had organized a gathering (jatha) to observe World AIDS Day yesterday.
The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day celebration is “Communities Lead the Way”, recognizing the challenges of fully curing the disease, but emphasizing the potential of those affected to lead a life quality through appropriate medications and a healthy lifestyle.
The event was organized collaboratively by several organizations including Mysuru District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, Health and Family Welfare Department, AIDS Prevention and Control Society of Karnataka and Mysuru , Mysuru District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Lions Jeevadhara Blood Bank, Asha Kirana Hospital. , Ananda Jyothi Positive Network, Ashodaya Samiti, Swamy Vivekananda Youth Movement, Chaitanya Rural Development Society, Link Workers Scheme, Guard, Mysore Association of Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Clinics and Diagnostic Centers (MAHAN) and Indian Medical Association (IMA).
Senior civil judge and member-secretary of the Mysuru DLSA, BG Dinesh, inaugurated the rally at the Kote Anjaneyaswamy temple premises, with over 250 participants. The rally passed through KR Circle, Sayyaji Rao Road, Dhanvantri Road, ending at JK Grounds, where a phased program was organized at Platinum Jubilee Hall of Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMC&RI).
The gathering aimed to highlight the collective responsibility of citizens and young people in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention. Participants held signs calling for a united fight to raise awareness and prevent AIDS, emphasizing that the disease is not an individual problem but a societal challenge that can be solved through collective effort.
During the programme, Krishnaraja MP (KR) TS Srivatsa highlighted the importance of raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, extending its importance beyond rural areas to include low-income communities.
He highlighted the positive shift in society’s perception of people infected with HIV, attributing it to increased awareness and societal progress.
Srivatsa acknowledged the historical social stigma, fear and suicide associated with HIV infection, but highlighted the positive impact of government programs and self-help organizations in stabilizing the mental state of those infected by HIV.
Children, often innocent victims, bear a disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS and Srivatsa stressed the critical need to recognize and appreciate the dedicated work of private and self-help organizations. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he lauded the tireless efforts of the Ministry of Health and expressed support for the appointment of ASHA officers and other health volunteers as permanent staff of the Ministry of Health.
Zilla Panchayat CEO KM Gayathri acknowledged the transformation of HIV/AIDS from a taboo subject in 1986 to one openly discussed through awareness programs and workshops. She highlighted the importance of active participation in World AIDS Day events, providing a platform to openly discuss HIV-related issues and learn from the experiences of those affected.
Key officials present at the event included District Health Officer (DHO) Dr PC Kumaraswamy, IMA President and Reproductive and Child Health Officer (RCHO) Dr Jayanth, Girish of Lions Jeevadhara, District AIDS Control Officer Dr Mohammad Siraj Ahmed, among others. .
