World AIDS Day in Tuticorin in Chennai

[Guest guest]

On the 1st December 2003, we are honouring the Peer Educators, Volunteers and

the Community Leaders from the Slum Community to strengthen community

participation towards sustainability of prevention and efforts.

There would be a Sensitization Program for them on the theme “Live and Let Live”

towards eliminating stigma and discrimination along with the HIV/AIDS updates.

We have been actively working with the Tuticorin Medical College Hospital, Urban

Health Posts and Primary Health Centre (Mappillaiyurani), Allopathic Private

Practitioners for referring patients with RTI / STI for Quality Care. Their

commitment to the cause of treatment and care has been remarkable and praise

worthy.

Hence, we are working in close collaboration with the Health Care Providers

especially doctors. This drives us to partner with the Indian Medical

Association, Tuticorin to jointly organize the World AIDS Day on the theme “Live

and Let Live” towards eliminating stigma and discrimination.

WHAT EMPOWER IS DOING?

EMPOWER is carrying out STD/HIV/AIDS Intervention among the Slum Population of

Tuticorin for the last 6 years covering 70,000 population spread over 82 slums.

The project is supported by the AIDS Prevention and Control Project (APAC),

which is administered by Voluntary Health Services, Chennai with financial

assistance from United States Agency for International Development under

bilateral agreement with the Government of India.

The main thrust of this project is:

Behaviour Change Communication

Condom Promotion

Quality STD Care

Peer Education

Advocacy

Through the course of this project, the organization has trained number of Peer

Educators, Volunteers and Community Leaders to part take in

a) Dissemination of accurate information on STD/HIV/AIDS,

Behaviour change towards …..

1) prompt STD treatment along with the partner.

2) prevent re-infection of STD.

3) correct and consistent condom usage.

4) reduction of sexual partners.

5) voluntary testing.

6) care and support of HIV positive persons.

For Further Details Contact:

A.SANKAR

Executive Director

EMPOWER,Tuticorin,Chennai,

INDIA

E-mail: empowersankar@...