Rajya Sabha statement on the situation of HIV/AIDS in Orissa

[Guest guest]

Rajya Sabha statement on the situation of HIV/AIDS in Orissa

As per the HIV Sentinel Surveillance data, four districts in Orissa

namely Anugul, Bolangir, Bhadrak and Ganjam have been identified as

category `A' districts i.e. districts having HIV prevalence of more

than 1% among Antenatal women representing General Population.

The probable reasons for spread of HIV infection in Ganjam and

Bhadrak, which are coastal districts are (a) large scale out

migration to far flung areas like ship breaking yards in Bhavnagar

and various industries in Surat & Gandhi Nagar in Gujarat and Mumbai

( number of National Highways and large number of truckers passing

through the districts have increased the vulnerability of these

districts.

However, there is no evidence regarding the spread of HIV in these

districts due to foreign tourist and infiltrators from Bangladesh.

In order to check the spread of HIV/AIDS in the State, Government of

India has launched the National AIDS Control Programme Phase III,

through State AIDS Control Socieities with the goal to halt and

reverse the epidemic in the country over the next 5 years by

integrating programmes for prevention, care, support and treatment.

However, the primary focus is given to preventive efforts focusing on

high risk population consisting of female sex workers, men having sex

with men, injectable drug users, truckers and migrant population.

In order to make people aware about HIV/AIDS and promote safe

behaviours, NACO and State AIDS Control Societies conduct regular IEC

campaigns through mass media and inter-personal communication

channel. During these campaigns, the information regarding

availability of counseling and testing services is also provided to

the community.

A special train (Red Ribbon Express) has been launched on 1st

December, 2007 to spread the HIV/AIDS awareness messages in various

Rural areas. Rupees 15.06 crore have been allocated to Orissa State

during the financial year 2007-08 for implementing the programme.

This information was given by the Minister for Health & Family

Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss in a reply to a question in the Rajya

Sabha.

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=36297

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

In Orissa the prevalance of HIV is alarming now. Most of the reasons is the

awareness in the community of rural areas. Though Govt. is now

taking strong initiatives to check the spread of HIV/AIDS in the State, under

NACP III, through SACS there is lot to be done prior to reverse the epidemic.

Frequently there is short supply of Testing Kits in the District of

Koraput (Which is under 'B' category). In Jeypore ICTC from 11th

February,the testing is stopped due to the transfer of Lab technician.

After repeated requests to OSACS regarding this issue there is no

arrangement made to send the appointed lab-technician from Koraput.

Clients reffered by NGOs & Positive networks can't able to test their

blood for HIV. As we all know that the efforts will be larger to

educate the people from rural areas. When the community realises the

necessity of testing their blood for HIV and go to ICTC he/she will

return with empty hands: either of the short supply of testing kits or

shortage of manpower. How can a tribal person can efford two or three

times the travelling expenditure for only HIV test.

I request OSACS to avoid this type of problems. As a representative of

Positive Netowrk, we are all ready to support the programs to give a

better outcome.

REGARDS

SANTOSH KUMAR.K

e-mail: <kumarpositive@...>