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The deadly HIV/AIDS pandemic has crossed all boundaries and has threatened the social fabric of many countries and communities of the world. The Armed Forces personnel, due to their challenging service conditions and the need to work in distant places, far away from their families for prolonged periods of time, also fall prey to this deadly disease.
In order to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the Indian Armed Forces have initiated a very vibrant AIDS Control Programme, which has already shown excellent results. The programme has been successful to a fair extent in checking the galloping trend of this disease among the uniformed personnel. To further consolidate these gains, the Armed Forces Medical Services, jointly along with the US Army Pacific Command, have organized a Peer Leaders Workshop at Base Hospital in Delhi Cantonment today. Among the dignitaries present during the occasion were Admiral Arun Prakash, Chief of Naval Staff and Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, Mr Robert O Blake, Charge de affaires at the US Embassy, Mr Ulf Kristoffersson, Director of the Office of UNAIDS Security, HIV/AIDS and Humanitarian issues and Lt Gen JR Bhardwaj, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services.
The workshop aims to create a knowledgeable cadre of workers who would be skilled at imparting Health Education and Counselling in the various medical and social issues related to HIV and AIDS and also act as peer leaders for the Armed Forces personnel and their families. During the occasion, a partnership deed will also be signed between the Ministry of Defence and UNAIDS to work jointly towards successfully controlling the incidence of HIV and AIDS among the Armed Forces of India.
SKS/PS
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