Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Bhupinder Kumar today reviewed the functioning of J&K AIDS Control Society, Department of Health and Medical Education.The Kashmir based officials attended the meeting through video conferencing.Dr. Samir Mattoo, Project Director AIDS Control Society, presented a brief description of working of the Society in the region.
Secretary instructed the officers to further streamline functioning of the Society besides asking for increasing the HIV testing especially among pregnant women and high risk group population so that the disease can be contained effectively. He further asked them to ensure that voluntary blood donation is further raised so as to cater to the need of safe blood in times of emergencies.
Secretary directed JK AIDS Control Society to start reporting on Strengthening Overall Care for HIV beneficiaries (SOCH) Portal developed by National AIDS control Society, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in order to streamline the process of end to end reporting.
Regarding provision of financial assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS, he directed that the funds should be transferred through DBT mode as soon as possible. He also directed the Society to put up the demand regarding funds for providing financial assistance to these people in the current year besides simplifying the procedure for availing such financial aid by the PLHIVs.