Himachal Pradesh: “Zindagi Zindabad” Campaign to combat HIV AIDS in Kangra

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" Zindagi Zindabad " Campaign to combat HIV AIDS in Kangra

Posted by Puneet Sood on Feb 18th,

Kangra: Although the spread of HIV/AIDS is a major concern in India,

only 61 percent of women age 15-49 and 84 percent of men age 15-49

have heard of AIDS, and Nationwide, only 17 percent of women and 33

percent of men have `comprehensive knowledge' of HIV/AIDS as per the

results of the third National Family Health Survey conducted recently.

A " Zindagi Zindabad " Campaign was recently flagged of in Kangra, the

largest District in the State by the Dr A Mahajan, Chief Medical

Officer, Kangra at Zonal Hospital Dharmsala. He told that various

services were being given in the District under the National AIDS

Control Programme.

These include awareness through Red Ribbon clubs in Schools and colleges for

adolescents, Condom Dsitribution through Indian Oil petrol pumps, promotion of

voluantry blood donation, and

all donated blood was screened for five transfusion transmittable

infections including HIV in all the three blood banks of the district.

Mr BD Sharma, incharge of the multimedia campaign told that in

Himachal over 90% had heard about AIDS, and comprehensive knowledge

was among the highest in the country, we need to educate the people

further. He further stated that the " Red Ribbon Wagon " includes

exhibition in a mobile van, education through folk media shows,

followed by discussion on HIV/AIDS and prizes for public throughout

the district. The campaign lasting 50 days is conducting 2 shows

daily at various places.

The unique feature of this campaign is direct interaction with

people; previous campaigns were largely informative / educational in

nature and had less community engagement. He further told that the

objective of the campaign to develop an understanding about the

infection to reduce stigma & discrimination against People Living

with HIV and AIDS ; strengthen people's knowledge about the measures

to be taken to prevent HIV and AIDS infection; and disseminating

information regarding primary prevention services. He emphasised that

HIV does not spread by casual contact like sharing food, shaking

hands, working or playing together or eating food prepared by HIV

positives.

Dr RK Sood, Nodal Officer told that Kangra district had 748 HIV

positive cases and 60 AIDS cases. There are five Integrated

Counseling and Testing Centers in the District at ZH Dharamsala,

Dehra, Palampur, Kangra and Medical College Tanda where confidential

HIV testing services are available.

The samples are tested thrice to confirm the report, as compared to private labs

which conduct only one test. Regarding services for those who are positive under

the programme, he stated that free Anti Retro viral Treatment is given at

Medical College Shimla, and bus fare for the journey with one attendant is also

reimbursed to them.

Milk powder is given to lactating mothers of infants who are HIV

positive. Financial assistance of 300-700 per month is also being for

children of HIV positives upto the age of 15 years, at the District

Integrated and Counselling Centre. He hoped that the campaign would

be able to generate people participation and decrease fear

misconceptions, and empower people to protect themselves, and avail

the benefit of free services provided by the government.

http://himachal.us/2009/02/18/zindagi-zindabad-campaign-to-combat-hiv-

aids/11112/activism/puneet