The State government has decided to conduct screening for HIV among the students of a particular college in Agartala – the decision was announced by the Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb after some students of the college were found HIV positive. The students were using injectable drugs.
While addressing the state-level World AIDS Day programme in Agartala, Deb expressed deep concern that some college students are becoming drug addicted and becoming HIV positive.
He passed an instruction to the AIDS Control Society and the Health department to discuss the matter with College authority, Education department and police will carry out a drive. Deb also wanted to unearth the entire chain of drug supply.
The Chief Minister said the treatment centre in GBP hospital registers two-three HIV positive cases on daily basis, that too mostly among the students.
“We are planning IT hubs and other projects. If the young generation gets addicted to drugs then who will work there,” Deb said. He then stressed the need in controlling the use of drugs to prevent HIV positivity by unearthing the drug supply chain.
In another note, Biplab Kumar Deb said that his government was contemplating a plan to set up an institution of national standard for providing treatment to the HIV positive persons.
Addressing the programme, the Chief Minister made an appeal to all, especially women to strengthen the fight against AIDS and curb the drug menance.
Social Welfare and Social Education minister Santana Chakma, Principal Secretary (Health) J.K. Sinha and Director of Family Welfare and Preventive Medicine department- Dr. Radha Debbarma were also present.