KATHUA: A HIV/AIDS awareness seminar for adolescent girls was organised by Regional Educational Society, Kathua in collaboration with J and K State AIDS Prevention and Control Society (JKSAPCS) in the Conference Hall of District Hospital Kathua.
The seminar was chaired by Dr. Mohan Singh Project Director J and K State AIDS Prevention and Control Society who in his speech to the adolescent girls asked them to be aware of their health and mental issues and also motivated them to seek help whenever necessary from the designated health centers run by the government which are providing free services to the masses especially the youth.
He also highlighted the importance of creating awareness among adolescent girls as they are the torchbearers of the two homes and are more prone to sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS. He also highlighted the services being provided by JKSAPCS like STI, ICTC, ART and Blood Banks for the benefit of the masses.
Medical Superintendent, Kathua Hospital, Dr Manoj Bhagat motivated them to avail all the facilities being free of cost to the general masses by AIDS Control Society.
CMO, Kathua District, Dr R.K Sangra while addressing highlighted the role of NGOs in spreading the message among the masses.
During the seminar, a special lecture on HIV/AIDS was delivered by Deputy Director, JKSAPCS, Deepika B Thakur, followed by an interactive session wherein she explained in detail about the spreading, prevention and control of this disease, and also answered the queries of the audience on the topic.
The programme was coordinated by Rajesh Sharma, AD (Youth Affairs), JKSAPCS. The programme concluded with vote of thanks presented by Suraj Prakash, General Secretary, Regional Educational Society, Kathua.
On this occasion the Chief Guest also gave away the prizes to the student participants who spoke on this topic and relevant IEC material was also distributed among the participants by the team of JKSACS for further dissemination of information.