Guwahati: The Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) on Wednesday launched a 60-day Intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign to raise awareness about HIV and prevention measures across Assam.

The campaign was inaugurated at the District Library in Dibrugarh on August 26 by Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal in the presence of Transformation and Development and Tea Tribes and Adivasi Welfare Minister Rameswar Teli, Khowang MLA Chakradhar Gogoi, Rajya Sabha member Jogen Mohan, and other state and district-level officials.

The launch was marked by the flag-off of an IEC awareness van, followed by a public meeting attended by students from schools and colleges and representatives of various departments and stakeholder groups.

Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Singhal said young people have an important role in shaping society and urged them to stay away from drugs, particularly injecting drug use, which he identified as a major concern in relation to HIV transmission in Assam.

“Most of HIV positive cases are injecting drug users,” Singhal said, urging young people to avoid drugs and high-risk behaviour.

He also stressed the importance of self-control and positive thinking, while calling on young people to avoid behaviours that could adversely affect their physical and mental health.

Teli, who attended the programme as guest of honour, highlighted the availability of treatment for people living with HIV and emphasised prevention through safer behaviour.

He urged young people to avoid high-risk practices, including unprotected sex and injecting drug use, and praised the government’s initiative to expand HIV awareness activities across the state.

Assam Medical College principal Dr Sanjib Kakati also appealed to students to avoid unhealthy lifestyles and high-risk behaviours.

According to ASACS Project Director Dr Indranoshee Das, the 60-day campaign aims to take HIV awareness efforts to the grassroots level. The campaign will cover around 3,900 villages, 500 schools, 200 colleges and 100 government hospitals, besides urban slum areas.

The initiative is aimed at improving awareness about HIV prevention, reducing risky behaviour and promoting access to information and healthcare services.

A cultural programme involving students was also organised as part of the launch. More than 1,000 students, officials and other stakeholders attended the programme.