The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a meeting yesterday emphasised the need for mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS and raising awareness to prevent the deadly disease.

Bangladesh Centre for Communication Programs (BCCP) in collaboration with the Daily Samakal organised the meeting titled " Sensitisation meeting on HIV and AIDS mainstreaming" at the CIRDAP Auditorium. Concern Worldwide supported the programme.

Speakers said HIV does not respect status, income, education or religion. It is a threat to everyone. AIDS has caused more deaths than all the wars in the last century more combined.

They emphasised on mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS for addressing vulnerabilities to HIV infections to avert potential negative impact. It is also essential for implementing multisectoral responses to HIV and AIDS.

The speakers said media can play vital role to prevent the disease.

Country Director of Concern Worldwide Kieron Crawley, Deputy Editor of The Daily Samakal Mozammel Hossain, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Information Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Dr Zeenat Sultan, Dr Nahid Ahmed Chowdhury, Assistant Editor of The Daily Samakal Ajoy Das Gupta spoke, among others, on the occasion.