Awareness key to preventing HIV/AIDS, says TGSACS Project Director KIMS College of Nursing organises Red Ribbon Club awareness programme for nursing students

The KIMS College of Nursing, Secunderabad, organised a Red Ribbon Club awareness programme to sensitise nursing students to HIV/AIDS prevention, early testing and social responsibility.

The programme was organised by the National Service Scheme (NSS) Unit of KIMS College of Nursing in collaboration with the Telangana State AIDS Control Society (TGSACS) at the 15th Floor Auditorium of KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad.

Speaking as the chief guest, Dr. K. Vidya Sagar, Project Director, TGSACS, emphasised the need for sustained awareness on HIV/AIDS. He briefed the students on the HIV/AIDS situation and related statistics in Telangana and India, preventive measures and the importance of early detection. He also stressed the need to address misconceptions and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Vidya Sagar said nursing students could play an important role as peer educators by taking accurate information on HIV prevention and awareness to the community.

Dr. S. Manimala Rao, Director of Medical Education (Academics), KIMS Hospitals, who attended the programme as the guest of honour, urged nursing students to demonstrate compassion, professionalism and ethical responsibility while caring for people living with HIV/AIDS.

She highlighted the important role of nurses in health education, disease prevention, counselling and patient advocacy, and encouraged the students to contribute to creating a more informed and supportive society.

As part of the programme, nursing students conducted a series of educational activities, including poster presentations, a skit and a quiz competition. The activities focused on HIV prevention, awareness and social responsibility and helped communicate key messages in an engaging manner.

The programme was attended by the Principal and Vice-Principal of KIMS College of Nursing, faculty members, representatives of TGSACS, NSS volunteers and nursing students.

The programme concluded with a call for greater awareness, removal of misconceptions and a compassionate approach towards people living with HIV/AIDS. The speakers also encouraged future nurses to serve as ambassadors of health education and awareness in the community.