Mumbai: Mard starts drive in favour of pre-marital HIV testing

To encourage pre-marital testing in order to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (Mard) has decided to run a one-week campaign across state-run hospitals. The campaign — Testing Primary, Kundali Secondary — will start from Tuesday, which is World Aids Day. The focus of the drive is to sensitise people about how to keep diseases, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, at bay.
HIV infects cells of the immune system, destroying or impairing their function. Infection results in progressive deterioration of the immune system, leading to "immune deficiency".

During the campaign, all resident doctors will don the Aids red ribbon for seven days across Maharashtra. All patients, aged between 15 and 25 years, will be given sex and reproductive education. This is necessary considering that a majority of people in India suffering from HIV are in the age group of 17 to 25. "We are also sensitising people against visiting quacks, in looking for a cure for Aids. We are educating doctors on recently changed HIV treatment protocols. Now, treatment is recommended from the earliest stage," said Dr Sagar Mundada, president, Mard. "The campaign is aimed at creating awareness. It can help avoid disastrous consequences and promote testing for diseases."

According to World Health Organization statistics, 37 million people living with HIV should start anti-retroviral treatment as soon as they are diagnosed. Fifty-four per cent people with HIV are aware of their infection. Almost 16 million people received anti-retroviral therapy in 2015. "Mard's campaign across the state is for a social cause. People remember resident doctors only because of recent protests and striking of work. But for the past few months, apart from medical service, we are backing social causes. Pre-marital HIV tests are a must. This campaign will benefit the poor," said Dr Shivkumar Utture, national working group member, Indian Medical Association.