Kohima, Aug. 17: The Red Ribbon Express III, a special exhibition train to create awareness on HIV/AIDS, has arrived today for a two-day halt at Dimapur railway station.
The third phase of the programme was launched to disseminate information, develop an understanding about the infection to reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS, and create awareness about the measures to be taken to prevent HIV/AIDS and to adopt preventive health habits.
Nagaland governor Nikhil Kumar, who was the chief guest for the inaugural programme, said Red Ribbon Express is a commendable initiative and lauded the Centre for the project.
He said it has proved to be very popular. In the past 10 years, HIV/AIDS has declined by 50 per cent and thanked the Centre, NGOs and other stakeholders.
The governor said their efforts have particularly focused on those living below the poverty line.
He also expected that the Dimapur district administration, various departments and NGOs in the district would play a pivotal role in ensuring that the programme achieves its target.
Minister for health and family welfare Kuzholuzo Nienu, in his keynote address, said the Red Ribbon Express is the world's largest multimedia and multi-sectoral mass mobilisation campaign against HIV/AIDS.
The campaign has completed two phases successfully and has embarked on another journey. The third phase of the programme was launched in Delhi on January 12.
In the third phase, the train will travel through 162 halts in 25 states. The main focus for the programme during this phase is to target youths who are the mainstay of any health programme.