Report and Pics by Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD/SP)
 
Udupi, Nov 6: Dr Ramachandra Kamath, department of public health. Manipal University, inaugurated the newly started Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC), at Dr A V Baliga Memorial Hospital, Doddanagudde, here recently. 

ICTC has been set up in association with Karnataka state AIDS Prevention Society under public - private partnership. The centre aims at conducting HIV diagnostic tests for the high risk groups that are prone to HIV/AIDS infection and counsel them to provide basic information on the modes of HIV transmission, and promoting behavioural changes to reduce vulnerability. Trained counsellors and laboratory technicians are being deputed to conduct counseling diagnostic tests.
 

Dr Ramachandra Kamath, after inaugurating ICTC, said that HIV/AIDS can be controlled only by creating awareness about the disease among the youth. HIV test should be conducted in both men and women before their marriage, he said.
 
Dr Ashok Kumar H, district AIDS control officer, was the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, he said that Udupi district was the first to start ICTC programme under public-private participation in the state. ICTC has been started in five private hospitals in the districts across Karnataka, he explained.
 
U R Acharya, managing trustee of Dr A V Baliga Charitable Trust, presided over the function.
 
Dr P V Bhandary, director of Dr A V Baliga Memorial Hospital was also present on the dais.