Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has instructed all its affiliated colleges to hold integrated health camps offering HIV testing and counselling for students. According to a circular issued by the university, this move is part of the Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha (MAS) programme, which aims to bring down transmission rates of HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis to zero.
These health camps are to be conducted in coordination with district AIDS control officers. Recognising the sensitivity of the subject, VTU has asked colleges to ensure strict confidentiality is maintained throughout the process.
While participation in the HIV test is voluntary and not mandatory for students, the initiative comes in response to a request from the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS), which had approached VTU seeking cooperation in setting up these integrated health camps for engineering students across the state.
