Date:02/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/02/stories/2008120251260300.htm

Other States - Haryana

Hooda calls for a movement to increase awareness on AIDS

Special Correspondent

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Monday called for a mass movement to create awakening on preventive measures of AIDS.

In a message on World AIDS Day, he said 84 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) had been established in the State. Well-trained counsellors and laboratory technicians had been posted at these centres to provide free counselling and testing services to the patients.

He said transmission of HIV-infected blood being an efficient way of transmission of HIV, testing of all blood units had been made mandatory. At present there are 56 licensed Blood Banks in the State, which include 16 in the Government sector, one with the Red Cross Society, Panipat, two with military hospitals and 37 in the private sector.

Mr. Hooda said under the School AIDS Education Programme, school children of classes IX to XII were sensitised to various issues concerning HIV and AIDS. About 5,220 government secondary and senior secondary schools were being covered during the current financial year under this programme.

Also, Red Ribbon clubs have been formed in all government and government-aided colleges to create awareness about HIV and AIDS among students. These clubs organised seminars and workshops to sensitise the college students on various issues relating to HIV and AIDS. “These clubs are being further strengthened.”

Health Minister Kartar Devi said the Haryana Aids Control Society was implementing the National AIDS Control Programme.

She said the Red Ribbon Express train aimed at creating awareness about AIDS had reached Haryana on November 14 and covered eight districts. Nearly 44,000 people had visited it to see the exhibition put up in its coaches about HIV and AIDS. Also, 6,000 people had availed of the counselling facility on the Red Ribbon Express.

She added that the Haryana AIDS Control Society had expanded the network of its helpline services by increasing their number from 20 to 64.