NACO strengthens its AIDS control programme

[Guest guest]

NACO strengthens its AIDS control programme

SACHCHIDANAND JHA

TIMES NEWS NETWORK [sATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2004 05:24:38 PM ]

PATNA : In an apparent bid to strengthen its HIV and Aids control

programme, the union health ministry has co-ordinated its effort with

the union ministry of social justice and empowerment (MSJE).

As of now, it is utilising the services of about 100 non- government

organisations (NGOs) implementing MSJE's alcohol and drug abuse

prevention programme.

Apart from utilising the services of these 100 NGOs working for MSJE,

the national Aids control Organisation(NACO) has also been running a

large number of NGO based intervention projects for the prevention of

HIV and Aids among truckers and commercial sex workers across the

country. In Bihar , the NACO has been funding 17 NGO based

intervention projects.

The joint director, information education and communication(IEC),

union health ministry, Dr Sadhna Rout, in a communication to the

project directors(PDs) of all the State Aids Control Societies, has

asked them to review the activities of MSJE funded NGOs functioning

under their respective jurisdiction and consider utilising their

services in HIV and Aids control programme.

Rout has informed the PD, Bihar State Aids Control Society, C K Anil,

that at present three MSJE funded NGOs were active in Bihar . The

headquarters of two of these three NGOs are located in Patna while

the third one is a Muzaffarpur based organisation.

The MSJE has been implementing a scheme for prevention of alcoholism

and drug abuse. Under this programme, about 400 NGOs are being funded

for running de-addiction-cum- rehabilitation centres (DRCs).

" This comprehensive programme of NGOs based intervention brings the

field workers of such organisations into contact with the high risk

groups, who are also extremely vulnerable to the HIV infection. This

programme provides an opportunity to intregrate the preventive

components of HIV/Aids as an adjunct to drug demand reduction

programme. Apart from it, there is enough evidence indicating that

drug abuse leads to HIV infection " , said Rout.

The NACO had accordingly approved of a proposal to integrate its

HIV/Aids control activities with the MSJE funded NGOs in the year

2001 itself and for the last two years it had been supporting about

100 NGOs working for the MSJE, Raout said. The State Aids Control

Societies have been asked impart training to the field workers and

staff of such NGOs to enable them handle HIV/Aids prevention works,

she added.

Interestingly, although the NACO has been supporting three MSJE

funded NGOs of Bihar, it is for the first time that the union health

ministry has directed the PD of Bihar State Aids Control Society to

consider using their services in implementing its HIV and Aids

control programme.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-443089,curpg-1.cms