Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

AIDS awareness on wheels

-PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

Health trail: A volunteer explains details of the Red Ribbon Express to onlookers after it reached Secunderabad railway station on Saturday.

HYDERABAD: Traversing across 13 States and 165 districts in five months, the Red Ribbon Express arrived at Secunderabad railway station on Saturday, to spread awareness on the ill effects of HIV.

Colourful and eye-catching stalls on HIV /AIDS were set up by Andhra Pradesh State Aids Control Society (APSACS) at platform number ten on the Bhoiguda side of the station, to receive the Red Ribbon express.

The platform was also decorated with posters and banners to educate public about the illness.

On the inaugural day, paramedical staff and members of several NGO’s thronged in large numbers to check out the express, which has seven coaches.

The first three coaches are equipped with televisions, computers and maps depicting the prevalence of HIV, while two more coaches are dedicated to counsel patients and their families.

The train is also provided with a coach for folk artistes to perform street plays in surrounding areas, especially villages to educate people on HIV/AIDS.

In addition to distributing free pamphlets, books and condoms both for men and women, organisers are conducting quiz programmes through touch-screen computers for the visitors.

“Conceptualised by Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, the train was flagged off by Congress party president Sonia Gandhi on World AIDS Day on December 1, 2007 from New Delhi.

On an average, 180 HIV patients are counselled everyday in the train,” says M.S. Rana, Chief Executive Officer of National AIDS Control Organisation, which is spending over Rs. 70, 000 per day in operating the train.

APSACS Project Director, R.V. Chandravadhan informed that 1200 Sexually Transmitted Infection clinics would be established in ten districts during this year.

The Red Ribbon Express will be open for general public till Sunday evening.

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