HIV prevalence in Jharkhand below national average

There are an estimated 23,000 positive cases in Jharkhand of which just over 10,000 have been identified while others are unaware of their positive status, a UNICEF release said quoting Zachariah.

He sought the support of the media in creating awareness about HIV and also reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

At a programme on HIV/AIDS, Aboo Backer Siddique, Project Director, Jharkhand AIDS Control Society, said the focus of the RRE would be on youth, women groups, adolescent, health care providers, members of village health and sanitation committees and opinion & policy makers, the release said.

Those who were not able to come to the Red Ribbon Express (RRE) would be reached through exhibitions and folk troupes, Siddique said at the programme organised as part of the RRE Phase III.

The RRE Phase III was launched from Delhi on 12 January, 2012 with the focus on mobilizing the youth.