The Indian army is engaged in a new battle in Jammu and Kashmir. This time, it is helping the people fight AIDS through a special awareness drive.
Medical camps are part of Operation Sadhbhavana
SRINAGAR: The Indian army is engaged in a new battle in Jammu and Kashmir. This time, it is helping the people fight AIDS through a special awareness drive. The campaign is part of the medical camps organised under Operation Sadhbhavna.
Operation Sadhbhavana is the army's effort to keep youth away from terrorism through measures like building schools and improving living conditions.
A camp organised by Dah division of the army in Kharali village last week had an information centre on AIDS along with anti-natal counselling. Army doctors including lady medical doctors and dentists conducted health checks and free medicines were distributed.
“We create basic awareness about HIV and AIDS. Our focus is on telling the people how one can contract the disease through blood transfusion or by using infected needles. Our gynaecologists educate women and tell them ways to prevent it,” said defence ministry spokesman in Jammu Lieutenant Colonel SD Goswami.
Several army divisions of 16 corps headquarter in Jammu have focussed on HIV and AIDS awareness in the 60-odd health camps held so far. “The camps are part of our military-civic action programme. We give basic medical care and make them aware about AIDS,” said Lt Col Goswami.
More such camps in remote areas will be held in 2008. J&K AIDS Control Society said the army's initiative was a good sign. “The army has access to people living along the border and remote areas and if they can create awareness, it is going to keep the number of people infected down,” said project director Dr MA Wani.
Jammu and Kashmir has lowest HIV infection prevalence in the country. Official figures say there are 1,130 HIV infected patients of which 95 are full-blown AIDS cases. There were 38 AIDS-related deaths since 2000 in J&K.
h_ishfaq@dnaindia.net
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