East Jaintia Hills District has 2500 people living with HIV

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 3, 2023

A comprehensive integrated Health Campaign aiming at addressing the various health issues of the people is launched in East Jaintia Hills District.

The campaign is a collaborative effort of the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society with the Office of the District Medical Health Officer, District Social Welfare Officer, District School Education Officer, Bansara Center, Netralaya Eye Care Center, Police Department and other Departments of the District.

Launching the campaign at Khliehriat West Community Hall on Friday, Minister of Revenue and Management Department, Kyrmen Shylla urged the public to get tested for HIV in order to know their status and assured that information on HIV patient status is kept confidential and will never be disclosed to anybody.

Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, A. Baranwal, IAS, said “As per the records there are more than 2500 people living with HIV within the District and this is not the complete figure because normal people generally do not get tested for HIV.”

Dr (Mrs). B. Decruse, Project Director, Meghalaya AIDS Control Society informed that the campaign will be conducted in the entire District covering 200 villages and 63 static camps and an extended outreach where we will reach out to the high-risk population and the vulnerable population.

She also said that the health services that will be provided during the health camps include screening and testing for HIV, Syphilis, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, hypertension, Diabetes, Anemia, Eye Checkup, Dental Checkup, and oral problems, treatment of common health problems, MHIS enrolment and Aadhaar enrolment, etc.

It may also be mentioned that the Office of the District Medical & Health Officer conducted the first Health Camp today at Sutnga CHC.

People from four villages Moopala, Mookympat, Sookilo, and Sutnga attended the health camp and availed various health services that included Eye Checkup, Dental Checkup, screening and testing for HIV, STD, and TB, Non-Communicable Diseases, MHIS enrolment and Aadhaar enrolment among others.