On Thursday, as a part of creating awareness about AIDS, the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, created the largest Human Red Ribbon Chain in the Kalinga stadium.

The Health and Family welfare department of the government of Odisha, led by NACO, in collaboration with the department of sports and youth services and Hockey India, conducted the awareness initiative.

According to an official release, 4,800 students from various schools, college Red Ribbon Club members, community residents, and Mission Shakti Department participants were among the audience members in the gallery.

The latest data from the National AIDS Control Program revealed that the state of Odisha continues to have a low HIV prevalence, with an adult prevalence of 0.14% and an estimated 52,108 HIV-positive individuals living there (PLHIV). However, only 50% of state residents with HIV are receiving anti-retroviral therapy (ART). It further stated, that in order to meet Sustainable Development Goal 3.3, which calls for eradicating AIDS as a threat to public health by 2030, the National AIDS Control Program′s services are being strengthened among the general population as well as High-Risk Groups in Odisha.

The chain was created between the 1 p.m. match between Malaysia and New Zealand and the 3 p.m. match between the Netherlands and Chile. Audio Visual materials were scrolled to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS and the National AIDS Toll-Free hotline - 1097 in addition to creating the "biggest human red ribbon chain" in the gallery.

This event significantly impacted the more than 25,000 attendees inside the stadium and millions of virtual viewers via television and Over The Top (OTT) platforms worldwide.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/odisha-naco-forms-largest-human-red-ribbon-chain-to-spread-awareness-regarding-aids/97162315)