Indus Valley Times

 By Pravakar Sahoo

Paradip, Dec.1: The World AIDS Day was observed at PPA Hospital with the theme “Let Communities Lead”. On this occasion, a walkathon as a part of IEC activity was organised to create awareness about AIDS among the denizens of the Port Township starting at PPA Hospital and ending at the Officers Club.

Chairman, PPA Shri P L Haranadh administered the Pledge on the occasion to the gathering and flagged off the Walkathon.  Doctors, paramedical staff of the PPA Hospital along with HoDs of the PPA, commandant CISF with his staff, Volunteers of Paradip Sakhyarata Samiti, volunteers of NGOs (IRDMS & CASD)  working on AIDS, transgender, and general public participated with enthusiasm. The walkathon culminated at Officers Club. All the staff of PPA Hospital, Saksharata Samiti and Volunteers wore symbolic red ribbons to commemorate the occasion.

Further, a screening camp for Truckers was organised at Gate No. 3 in association with CASD/IRDMS. By the time of reporting 63 people were screened, and none was found positive for AIDS. The test kits were provided by OSACS. PPA HOSPITAL regularly screens for HIV/AIDS as an obligation under the MOU, “Mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS at Major Ports” signed with NACO & MoHFW.