Udupi: Additional deputy commissioner Abid Gadyal called upon officials to effectively implement the Mission AIDS Suraksha mobilisation campaign, launched by the govt to create awareness about HIV, identify people who are unaware of their HIV status and facilitate their treatment.Chairing a meeting of the District First 95 Committee and the District Joint Task Force at the deputy commissioner’s office complex in Rajatadri, he said that the Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha (MAS) programme has been introduced to curb the spread of HIV in India, as the nation aims to attain HIV control by Dec 1, 2027, coinciding with World AIDS Day,The primary objective of the meetings is to strategise and accelerate progress towards achieving the global 95-95-99 targets, ensuring that 95% of all people living with HIV know their HIV status, 95% of those diagnosed receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 99% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.An estimated 5,790 people are living with HIV in the district. At present, only 4,691 people are aware of their HIV status and are receiving treatment. Another 1,141 people are estimated to have HIV, but remain unaware of their status. They must be identified and provided treatment, he said, adding that the govt has undertaken various initiatives to trace them.Gadyal said that extensive awareness programmes should be organised for the public. People should also be encouraged to voluntarily scan the QR code provided for HIV testing, answer the listed questions and undergo an HIV test if the assessment indicates a possible risk, he said.Awareness programmes on the prevention, transmission, detection and treatment of HIV and AIDS should be conducted in schools and colleges, where there is a large youth population, he said. He also called for the involvement of associations, youth organisations and NGOs to make the campaign successful.District AIDS control officer Dr Chidananda Sanju, district surgeon Dr H Ashok and district reproductive and child health officer Dr Jyotsna BK attended the meeting.
