Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday urged the principals and headmasters of schools and colleges to intensify surveillance on students to check the rising cases of HIV.
He also proposed conducting weekend special sessions to increase student engagement on issues such as HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. Currently, students account for 10 percent of the total HIV cases in Tripura.
“We have to identify and isolate those who fall prey to drug abuse. Robust surveillance is the need of the hour in schools and colleges. Look for students who are not behaving as usual, those who have suddenly started to detach themselves from the group, as they are the ones who may later influence others to indulge in drug abuse,” Dr. Saha said in a sensitization program organized by Tripura AIDS Control Society.
Quoting data, Dr. Saha mentioned that the total number of HIV-infected patients stands at 5,330, comprising 1,033 females and 4,295 males. Out of them, 558 patients are students. “Every month, 150 to 200 fresh cases are being reported recently, with most patients being drug addicts. We must save these boys and girls. Drug abuse is making our youth physically and mentally weak and socially isolated. If we fail to integrate them into mainstream society, the situation might slip out of our grip,” the Chief Minister added.
The AIDS Control Society has registered 5,928 female sex workers, 875 homosexuals, 7,841 migrant laborers, 4,376 truckers, and 114 transgender individuals under a special project.
“All of us must shun ignorant behavior to effectively fight this battle. If we close our eyes and claim everything is fine, things won’t take a positive turn. If something is wrong in your locality, apartment, or village, raise your voice and speak up. Otherwise, you are allowing the problem to grow, and one day your family will also face its consequences,” he emphasized.
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