The Voluntary Health Service (VHS) observed the World Aids Day every 1st of December on along with its MSA - Diversity in Action Project (DIVA Project), Communicable Diseases Control (CDC Project), MAC and YRG Care took the opportunity to recognize the day. We emphasized the slogan "My health; My right" on this year.

During the Program, all dignitaries along with staff nurse & students from the MAC College took an oath to prevent the spread of HIV and provide care and treatment for those people and families who have been affected by HIV / AIDS. Nearly 150 Nursing Students, Doctors, Nurses and staff from VHS are participated in this program.

Mr. Johnson, Regional Manager –VHS MSA welcomes all the dignitaries, students and staff from VHS. And he explained the purpose of this event, “ The World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988, it's an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.”

Ms. Malini Balakrishnan – Officer on Special Duty -VHS, cited the contributions of Dr. Suniti Solomon in the field of HIV from its initial identification and all the efforts she took to provide treatment and care for HIV affected population. Mr. Joesph Williams, Director - VHS Projects; Dr. Ganesh, Chief Program Officer - YRG Care; Dr. Bala, Head of Laboratory - YRG Care and a representative from MAC college of Nursing graced the occasion with their presence and also released stickers and posters to empower the transgender community. Mr.Sivaramakrishnan – Regional Manager delivered the vote of thanks.

VHS-MSA DIVA Project participated in the WAD programme organised by NACO at New Delhi on 1st December 2021. A stall displaying the National HIV strategic framework for TG/H people, banner on “My health; My right” acknowledging the partnership with the various SACS, social entitlements and schemes for TG community members, posters of implementation of Supreme court judgement on third gender, signature campaign poster on the theme “I am proud to support Transgender people rights” were showcased.

Smt.Anupriya Patel, Honorable Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of India visited the stall and released the stickers developed by VHS-MSA DIVA Project on acceptance of TG/H people. She has also extended invitation for VHS to have a discussion on conducting sensitisation programme for political party members at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Ms.Preeti Sudan, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of State for Health & Welfare, Government of India, NACO / UNAIDS officials, Country Director - CDC were few of the Dignataries who have visited the stall and appreciated the work of DIVA Project.