Awareness rally, session mark World AIDS Day in Ludhiana

On World HIV/AIDS Day-2025, the District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit in collaboration with Dr Kotnis Acupuncture Hospital, Salem Tabri, organised an awareness rally against HIV/AIDS and drug abuse on Monday.

The event, held under this year’s theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response”, drew wide participation from residents, health institutions and community organisations.

The rally was flagged off by MLA Madan Lal Bagga, who was the chief guest. In his address, Bagga emphasised the government’s commitment to combating HIV/AIDS and drug abuse: “The government stands firmly with the people and organisations involved in this fight. Continuous efforts are being made in Punjab, especially in Ludhiana, to save lives from the disease and drugs, and significant achievements have already been made.”

The event saw the presence of Amit Chawla, in charge of the AIDS prevention unit, Inderjeet Singh, director of Dr Kotnis Acupuncture Hospital, Manish Singh (CPO) from Punjab State AIDS Control Society, and Jaswant Singh Chhapa, president of Sarbat da Bhala Charitable Trust, Ludhiana. Eight non-governmental organisations joined hands to spread the message of awareness and prevention.

Speaking on the occasion, Inderjeet highlighted the long-standing role of his institution: “Our organisation has been working for the past 50 years to protect people from drugs and HIV. This rally is another step in ensuring that communities remain vigilant and informed.”

The rally witnessed the participation of more than 130 persons, who marched through Salem Tabri, Peeru Banda and Jalandhar bypass, carrying placards and raising slogans to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS and drug abuse.

The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day underscores the urgency of sustaining HIV programmes despite fund cuts and service interruptions. It calls for renewed commitment for prevention, treatment and community-led support, ensuring that progress made over decades is not lost.

Meanwhile, to commemorate World AIDS Day, the Departments of Community Medicine and Microbiology jointly organised a collective awareness session on the DMCH college campus and Urban Health Centre, Pohir.

The event included a poster-making competition for medical and paramedical students, along with an awareness talk at the Urban Health Centre, Shimlapuri, focussing on prevention, early diagnosis and breaking the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Interactive talks and case-based sessions were also held to help students better understand how HIV spread, how it could be prevented and the basic treatment guidelines.