AIDS spreading its tentacles in rural areas

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Jan 09: With the detection of increasing number of HIV/AIDS cases from rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir, the government has decided to involve cultural organisations and theater groups to reach out to ruralities  and create awareness among them about the preventive measures against the deadly virus.


Sources said that the step has been taken after the health officials conveyed the alarming situation after the detection of some cases in far-flung areas from where the people work as labourers or drivers in different parts of the country.


According to the officials, the State AIDS Control Society has invited youth clubs and NGOs to start awareness campaigns about the deadly disease and provide consultancy services to the rural population, who are mostly unaware about the threat.


As per the records, there are 1800 full blown AIDS cases registered with the society, but their number could be in thousands as many affected persons are unaware about the infection.


Each event will be of three hours duration comprising of folk songs on AIDS awareness followed by a drama, skit and a lecture- interaction by a doctor or a counselor attached with each group. The selected groups will be paid Rs 3000 on account of performance for each programme at village, block and tehsil levels.
Officials said that the main focus is on establishing personnel contact with the risk group population so that they are able to understand the threat possessed by the AIDS.


As per the Government figures, the state had 1811 full blown AIDS cases during 2009-2010, against 1600 cases in 2007, a worrisome situation for the state health officials who fear that there may be thousands of more hidden patients .


So far as many as 95 persons have died of AIDS in J&K, while 447 cases of matured AIDS are on anti-retroviral treatment. On papers the government shows that in 2009-10, 84 per cent awareness was recorded among urban populace, while it jumped to 64 per cent in rural areas and happy with the figures officials have been claiming success in putting cap on the spread of disease.