In order to celebrate WORLD AIDS DAY on 1st December, 2018 the Multi-Sectoral Task Force (MSTF) and Community Based Social Services (CBSS) members coordinated a Stakeholders Meeting at the Dzongkhag Conference Hall on 26th November, 2018.

The stakeholders from hotels, resorts, drayangs, Financial Institutions, RBP, BAFRA, Dzongkhag Court and Dzongkhag Administration were present for the meeting. The Stakeholders meeting were conducted to define roles and responsibilities of each stakeholders on WORLD AIDS DAY.

A fund raising health walk will be organized to celebrate WORLD AIDS DAY and to sensitize the general public on HIV/AIDS. Health officials will also carry out health screenings for Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) at Paro Town Plaza from 10 am onwards.  

The MSTF focal person informed that each year World Aids Day is celebrated in order to eradicate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS and also create awareness on NCDs. As an information he relayed that the number of people with HIV/AIDS at present is 627 (of which 323 are male and 304 are female). 

The stakeholders agreed to walk from two locations (Zhiwaling and Shab Denka Bazzar) towards Paro Town Plaza. The two groups will gather at Paro Town Plaza at 9am and move towards their respective locations to begin the walk from 9:30 am. The respective group members will sensitize on HIV/AIDS by carrying banners and shouting slogans, collecting fund  and distributing condoms to the general public as they walk towards town. At the meeting point at Town Plaza refreshments will be served. 

Cultural program will be performed by dancers from drayangs as the public undergoes health screening on WORLD AIDS DAY.