World AIDS day celebrations in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, 1^st Dec, 2016: World AIDS day is celebrated on 1st Dec. every year since 1988. This day provides an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the cause of HIV prevention & treatment, draw attention about HIV epidemic around the world, to raise awareness about HIV, to remember those who have died, to show solidarity with people living with HIV, to celebrate survival and health. The day is associated with the Red Ribbon, an instantly recognizable symbol indicating support to the cause.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2016 is “Hands Up for HIV Prevention’. Although we are near the goal, still the challenge is there to ensure that all those who are living with HIV get to know their status and avail treatment services. Only then will there be a break in the transmission of the Virus.

 The Global Goal to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 is planned to be achieved through the Sustainable Development Goals. UNAIDS has set 90:90:90 targets to be achieved by 2020. The goal is to ensure that 90% of PLHIV know their status and of these, 90% be on ART and at least 90% of these have virological suppression. This should lead to 75% reduction in new HIV infections and double the number of people on ART by 2020.

Over the last one decade, India is successful in reversing the HIV epidemic. Continuing awareness is extremely important to ensure success in 90:90:90.

To mark World AIDS Day 2016, a program was organized at Plaza, Sector-17, Chandigarh in which about 1,000 people from all walks of life participated. The program started with the Signature campaign wherein people came forward to take a pledge to join hands to fight back HIV/AIDS. The event was inaugurated by Hon’ble Shri Anurag Aggarwal, IAS, Home Secretary-cum- Health Secretary, U.T., Chandigarh. Also present was Dr. Rakesh Kashyap, Director Health Services, U.T., Chandigarh. A huge Red Ribbon was lighted as a mask of commitment to the elimination of HIV.

Dr. Vanita Gupta, Project Director, CSACS addressed the audience and shared the data indicating the success of the AIDS Control program in the U.T., Chandigarh. The Chandigarh Network of Positive People, HLF PPT and Vihaan Care and Support Centre were partners in the event.

A Flash mob was performed by the college students creating awareness about HIV/AIDS, Drug Addiction and to promote condom usage. A Street play was also performed by an expert team. 600 people marched in the shopping areas with candles and placards creating awareness about HIV/AIDS.

A large number of onlookers, shoppers, bystanders were successfully sensitized through a quiz and prizes were distributed to the right answers.                                   In Chandigarh the prevalence of HIV has shown a steady decline from 0.27% in 2005 to 0.12% in 2016. The local population infected with HIV is 0.17% of the total detected in the Chandigarh ICTCs. Syphilis positivity is 1.79% in STI clinics but 0.74% in TIs. Voluntary Blood Donation is 89.5% of all blood collected. HIV prevalence in blood units is 0.04%. The ART Centre has 4,488 HIV+ve patients taking regular treatment. Successful implementation of the prevention of “Parent to Child Transmission” has ensured that all babies born to HIV positive pregnant women in Chandigarh are healthy and non-infected.

In Chandigarh regular awareness activities have helped to bring down the HIV prevalence in the city. People are adopting healthy lifestyles including safe sex practices. The Voluntary testing at Integrated Counseling and Testing Centres has increased.