State- level Intensified IEC Campaign on HIV launched at Dhekiajuli, Sonitpur
Rongili Barta: In order to enhance the knowledge-levels of the general population and equip the masses with information about HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections across state, Intensified IEC Campaign for HIV awareness was launched on International Youth Day i.e on August 12, 2025 at Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur district of Assam. The State-level campaign was launched by Shri Ashok Singhal, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Assam at Martyrs’ Memorial Park Convention Centre at Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur district in presence of District Commissioner, Sonitpur, Shri Ananda Kr Das, ACS, Project Director, Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) Dr Indranoshee Das, ACS and a host of district level officials and officials from the state government.
Prior to the launch, a rally comprising of college students was flagged off at Swahid Maidam at Dhekiajuli by Project Director, ASACS Dr Indranoshee Das, ACS and Co-District Commissioner of Dhekiajuli, Dyotiva Bora, ACS in presence of other dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest, Ashok Singhal, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Assam, said, “Awareness is the main mantra for HIV prevention. This campaign will certainly help in enhancing the knowledge of HIV amongst the masses and sensitizing the people on the routes of HIV prevention and how one can stay away HIV.” He further said, “ The budding young generation are shaping the society with their consciousness, ideals and values. Their thoughts and judgements are moulded by the society they inherit and they in turn become the bearers of its work culture and the nourishment of its progress.” He further appealed to the youth to live a healthy life with a positive outlook.
Welcoming the gathering, Deputy Commissioner, Sonitpur, Ananda Kr Das, said, “The HIV cases are on the rise in the state and awareness is the only key through which we can keep HIV at bay.” He further expressed hope that this campaign will go a long way to create massive HIV awareness amongst the people of the state.
Outlining the objectives of the campaign, Project Director, ASACS, Dr Indranoshee Das, ACS, said, “In order to increase HIV awareness in the state, Assam State AIDS Control Society is launching the Intensified IEC Campaign in 25 high priority districts across Assam and as you all know that awareness is the only way to stay away from the HIV menace, the campaign will cover maximum population in the aforesaid districts especially in the villages, schools, colleges, slum areas, tea gardens, char areas and hard to reach areas.” She further said that since it is a 360 degree campaign all mediums of communication like mass media, folk media, social media will be utilized for the dissemination of HIV messages.
Speaking on the occasion, Mission Director, NHM, Assam, Dr Lakshmanan S, IAS, said, “Since the year 2010, overall the new infections in India have been reduced to a considerable extent due to the various initiatives taken by the government but in Assam new infections are on the rise and we need to stop the new infections. In order words, we need to save the present generation from acquiring HIV and only then we can eliminate AIDS as public health threat by 2030.”
The state-level launch ended with a cultural show with dissemination of HIV messages by the students of various colleges.
The Intensified IEC Campaign is launched in high priority 25 districts of Assam. The districts include Dibrugarh, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat, West Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Hailakandi, Biswanath, Hojai, Kamrup, Darrang, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, Barpeta, Bajali, Nalbari, South Salmara, Morigaon, Majuli, Cachar, Kamrup (M) , Sonitpur, Nagaon.
The Intensified IEC Campaign will cover 3000 nos of villages in 25 nos of districts across Assam. The awareness in villages include sensitization meetings with the local population, GBs, PRIs, awareness meetings in schools and colleges, folk campaign, door to door awareness campaign, Inter-personal Communication during Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days (VHSND), miking, rallies etc. There will be school outreach programmes in villages through sessions on HIV awareness for students from Class 8 to 12. Awareness sessions on HIV and STI would be conducted amongst the colleges through Red Ribbon Clubs (RRC) in colleges and universities across Assam.
Special health camps will be organized in government hospitals in the select districts to provide free HIV/STI testing, counselling and treatment services. Awareness activities will also be conducted in the slum areas where populations are often at higher risk and have less access to healthcare services.
Apart from the above, dissemination of HIV messages will be done through the use of Mass Media (Radio, TV, Newspapers), Folk Media (Natika), Outdoor Media (hoarding/kiosk, bus branding, miking in IEC decorated van, rallies) and social media will be extensively used during this campaign.