AIDS awareness hosted at Daramdin Sai Mandir

GANGTOK, 21 Nov: The Sikkim State AIDS Control Society organized an HIV/ AIDS awareness programme at the Sai Mandir at Daramdin in West Sikkim on Sunday.
The programme had more than 200 participants, including senior students of Kripasalyas Government Senior Secondary School, Daramdin, local youth and children, ASHA members and some visitors to the mandir.
Namrata Sharma, Mainstreaming Officer, SSACS, gave an introduction on HIV/AIDS - modes of transmission and prevention, ICTC (Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre) and PPTCT (Prevention from Parent to Child Transmission). She also stressed that People Living with HIV/ AIDS should not be stigmatized or discriminated against.
Later, the gathering was treated to a performance by Padam Gandharva, a Gainey who played the Sarangi and captivated the audience with his informative and melodious songs carrying messages on HIV, AIDS and other social issues.
Rachna Rizal, ICTC Counselor, Namchi Hospital, explained the role of ICTCs, PPTCTs and ART Centre.
After the programme, Man Singh Kalikotey, ICTC Lab Technician, Namchi Hospital conducted a free HIV Test Camp in which 70 people tested their HIV Status.