Experts to spread HIV awareness

GUWAHATI: The state government is roping in experts from the health and education department to make youths aware of responsible and safe sexual behaviour to check the spread of HIV. India HIV Estimations 2017 show a significant rise in the number of cases in the region in recent years. The government initiative, under the Adolescence Education Programme (AEP), is expected to address this burning issue.
The study report- released by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) on Friday-stated Mizoram, with at 2.04% cases, had the highest number of adult HIV cases in the country followed by Manipur at 1.43% and Nagaland at 1.15%. According to the report, new infections in Assam have increased by 37%, while new infections have declined nationally between 2010 and 2017. Among the northeastern states, new infections in 2017 in Arunachal Pradesh increased by 65%, in Assam by 37%, Mizoram by 18% and Meghalaya by 10%.
Project director of Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS), Anurag Goel, said every selected school should have a male and female teacher for the implementation of the programme. The Centre had launched the initiative in 2005. "It is our prime responsibility to teach our youth the importance of safe behaviour," he said.