Two-day conference concludes

Chandigarh, December 6

The two-day conference, AIDSCON-4, organised by the UT State AIDS Control Society concluded today. Participants and panel discussions in the conference highlighted the need to study the programme data and identify the unreached high risk population. It was discussed that there was a need to revamp the present style of providing services to intravenous drug users in prisons and in the rural areas. Medicines under the Opioid Substitution Therapy need to be monitored in the commercial market.

To achieve three zeros i.e Zero new HIV infections, Zero AIDS-related deaths, Zero stigma and discrimination, it is necessary that the beneficiaries, especially the MSM and IDU community, are made aware and educated to identify their needs and avail harm reduction services. Special needs of the TG community and the problems they face due to Article 377 were highlighted. Need to ensure the HIV and syphilis testing of every pregnant woman was reiterated. New free drugs available for all HIV positive pregnant women must reach every infected pregnancy so that the infant is born infection-free. The delegates asserted that control of HIV/AIDS no longer remains in the domain of the National AIDS Control Organisation, MOHFW. — TNS