In Jammu and Kashmir, the official figures have revealed that the region has witnessed over two thousand new HIV cases from past over six years. The issue demands urgent action and more awareness the people here.
Besides, according to the Jammu and Kashmir AIDS Control Society has stated that at least 66 deaths have occur because of the HIV disease, there is a further need of unfolding the alternatives to preserve the precious lives.
While the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir continue to upgrade the infrastructure in the health care, they also should further aware the masses about the HIV disease.
About the each and every one that has been affected because of the disease are also those who have either lost the life or whose journey will now be defined by medical management.
The data suggests that the virus is transmitting at a rate that has most likely surpassed our prevention and awareness mechanisms.
What needs to be recognized is that this increase coincides with the very challenging years of the pandemic and the period thereafter.
The reasons for this increase are complex and must be discussed without assigning blame, but with a scientific lens. The uptick in testing, while representing the true magnitude of the issue, alone cannot account for the rise.
Additionally, given J&K’s unique demographic and geographic challenges, including terrain, mobility of the population, etc, there may be a need for a different tailored approach that we may currently not be doing.
The J&K AIDS Control Society, in concert with the government and partnerships with NGOs, need to initiate a proactive, no-stigma public awareness campaign.
This cannot simply be a revision of the past. It must include social media, engaging social influencers, and messaging that provides clear, no-stigma information in schools and communities.
In addition, testing also needs to be made accessible, with no charges and confidential. The network of Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTC) also needs to be expanded beyond major hospitals to include primary health centres, as well as mobile vans to reach rural locations.
