Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday inaugurated the HIV awareness campaign on the occasion of International Youth Day which will continue till 12th October. To be implemented at the village level across all districts of the state, this awareness programme will be celebrated under the theme Click to Progress-Youth Digital Pathway for Sustainable Development this year. He also flagged off an awareness chariot (vehicle) and also launched a two-month-long Integrated Health Check-up Campaign. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister emphasized the governments efforts to integrate AIDS patients into the mainstream of society and said that the government was providing financial assistance of Rs. 1,500 per month to individuals receiving free treatment at Anti Retro Viral Therapy Centers and rupees three to rupees eight hundred per month to the children of persons living with HIV under 18 years of age. Additionally, free bus travel has also been provided to those coming for treatment. Apart from this free HIV testing is available at all government health institutions, ensuring privacy for those tested. He also highlighted the challenges of protecting youth from drug addiction and raising awareness about AIDS and HIV. The event also featured the inauguration of AIDS awareness exhibition and a cultural programme. Raising concern about the increasing cancer cases in the state, Sukhu said that the government has reached out to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to conduct a study on it. As of now, the government was providing 42 essential medicines free of cost to cancer patients in government hospitals. Medicines like Trastuzumab vaccine costing around Rs. 40 thousand have also been included in the essential medicine list. "To channelize the energy of the youth in the right direction, the government was promoting sports activities in a big way and has brought many reforms in the sector so that they may stay away from drugs.  The incentive being given to the sportspersons of the state has been enhanced," he added.

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