Srinagar, December 1, 2025: A combined HIV awareness programme and free oral health camp was held at the Institute of Technology (IOT), Zakura Campus, University of Kashmir, organized by the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College, Srinagar, in collaboration with the campus Health Centre.
The initiative, conducted to mark World AIDS Day, was led by Dr. Aasim Farooq Shah, Head of the Department of Public Health Dentistry, along with Dr. Asif Yousuf, Dr. Asifa Ashraf, Dr. Mohammad Hanif, and a team of dental interns. The camp aimed to promote awareness about HIV/AIDS, reduce stigma, and provide essential oral health services to students and staff.
Prof. M. Tariq Banday, Dean and Director of IOT, emphasized the importance of ending discrimination against people living with HIV and lauded the organizers for their outreach efforts. Dr. Shah and Dr. Yousuf delivered lectures highlighting HIV transmission, preventive measures, and the link between oral health and overall well-being, stressing that awareness fosters empathy, social inclusion, and early testing.
The camp attracted over 120 participants, who received free dental consultations, on-the-spot treatment, and medicines. Experts noted that good oral hygiene is particularly vital for people living with HIV, as it can prevent infections and aid in early disease detection.
The programme was coordinated by Dr. Iqra Mehraj, Medical Officer, Health Centre, Zakura Campus, and initiated under the guidance of Prof. Sandeep Kaur Bali, Principal of Government Dental College & Hospital, and Prof. Banday. Organizers highlighted that timely testing, treatment, and community support are key to defeating HIV, emphasizing that the disease is preventable, manageable, and should never be a basis for discrimination.
The event concluded successfully, with active participation from students, staff, and hostel residents, reaffirming the commitment of IOT Zakura’s Health Centre to public health promotion and community awareness.
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