Patiala, August 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education and Research Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on Wednesday launched the state-level Intensified IEC Campaign 3.0 of the Punjab AIDS Control Society at Punjabi University, Patiala, with a focus on expanding HIV/AIDS awareness, encouraging timely testing and treatment, and discouraging drug use among people, particularly the youth.
The two-month campaign will run across Punjab from August 12 to October 12. As part of the initiative, awareness activities will be organised in 12,997 schools and 1,475 colleges across the state.
Dr. Balbir Singh said nearly 2,000 children from 23 districts participated in competitions organised under the campaign, with winners being honoured with awards.
He said counsellors would undertake door-to-door HIV/AIDS awareness outreach in 2,000 villages. Rallies, flash mobs and other public-awareness activities will also be held during the campaign.
Emphasising the need to protect young people from substance abuse, the Minister said the state government was developing sports grounds and strengthening treatment, counselling and rehabilitation services through de-addiction facilities. He appealed to youngsters to stay away from drugs, take part in sports and spread awareness about HIV/AIDS among their peers.
Dr. Balbir Singh also stressed that discrimination against people living with HIV is a legal offence. He said the government’s objective was not limited to preventing HIV infection but also included ensuring that affected persons could live with dignity.
Punjab currently provides free HIV prevention and treatment services through 114 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres, 27 Anti-Retroviral Therapy Centres, 31 Designated STI/RTI Clinics, 71 Targeted Intervention Projects, 49 Oral Substitution Therapy Centres, 36 De-addiction Centres, 15 Rehabilitation Centres and 548 Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment Clinics.
Among those present at the launch were Principal Secretary Kumar Rahul, Special Secretary Sakshi Sahni, ADC Patiala Navreet Sekhon, Punjabi University Vice Chancellor Dr. Jagdeep Singh, Dr. Sunil Bansal, Director, PHSC, Dr. Avnish Sharma, DRME, Punjab, Dr. Anil Goel, Director, ESI Punjab, Civil Surgeon Patiala Dr. Shelly Jetley, Additional Project Director, Punjab State AIDS Control Society, Dr. Vishal Garg, and Joint Directors Pawan Rekha Berri (IEC), Dr. Sukhwinder (BSD), Dr. Sunita Bhagat (BTS) and Dr. Harpreet Kaur (CST), besides other officers.
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