Truckers get lesson on how to avoid HIV/ AIDS

As part of 30th Road Safety Week events, truck and commercial drivers were given tips on avoiding HIV/ AIDS while travelling on highways hundreds of miles away from home.

At a workshop organised by Automobile Association of Upper India ( AAUI), the largest motorist body active in seven states in northern India, panelists cautioned drivers about the deadly disease and its repercussions for their family. An audio video presentation was also made before a session to answer questions put forward by the drivers.

Chief guest Sadhna Mohan, an expert on HIV/ AIDS and winner of Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence for reporting on HIV/ AIDS, said, “It is the responsibility of drivers to ensure risk free health of their family members by not indulging in unsafe sex while travelling

on highways.”

To a question from a middleaged driver whether a woman kneading dough

can transmit HIV to her children, Ms Mohan, who is closely associated with Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/ AIDS ( RCHA), explained that HIV does not travel through food.

The truckers were also made to answer a questionnaire to answer at the orientation conducted by AAUI. “Our effort is to familiarity the drivers by disseminating prevention guidelines in order to keep away from the disease.

Integrating the project ‘ Sound Health — Safe Drive’ in the refresher driving training course,” said AAUI president T. K. Malhotra.

— PTI Union minister Smriti Irani with actor Raveena Tandon during the ongoing “Arth: A Cultural Fest” at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi on Saturday.

Chief guest Sadhna Mohan with truck drivers at the workshop.