A massive HIV/AIDS awareness rally was held in Hyderabad on August 12 as part of the state-wide campaign to promote HIV prevention, testing and treatment awareness.
Hyderabad In-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar flagged off the rally at HMDA Grounds. Around 1,500 people participated in the awareness march from HMDA Grounds to Necklace Road Railway Station.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said preventing the spread of HIV is a collective social responsibility. He stressed the need to dispel misconceptions about HIV/AIDS and ensure that people living with HIV receive proper medical care and support.
The minister said effective medical services and treatment are available to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. He urged people to rely on accurate information about prevention, testing and treatment instead of fear or misinformation.
He announced that extensive awareness and publicity programmes will be conducted across Telangana for two months from August 12. The campaign is being conducted under the slogan “Be Positive – Stop HIV Positive”, with the goal of making Telangana an HIV-free state.
Telangana State AIDS Control Society Project Director Vidyasagar, Health Department Principal Secretary Christina Z Chongthu, GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan, Information Department Commissioner Mukund Reddy, officials, medical staff, NGO representatives, students and awareness campaigners participated in the programme.