Kerala State AIDS Council has formed

[Guest guest]

KSACS draws up pro-active campaign

C. Maya

Aim is to mainstream HIV/AIDS for multi-sectoral response. Industrial houses to

join campaign. 11 government departments identified for drive

------------------------------

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS) has

launched a major initiative to seek the collaboration and involvement of various

ministries, government departments, corporate houses and business sector as well

as people's representatives in an effort to mainstream HIV/AIDS.

As part of this initiative, the KSACS has for the first time sought the

partnership of the business community by approaching the Technopark group of

companies.

Major industries and institutions are also being identified which can play a

proactive role in mainstreaming HIV.

Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS and getting a multi-sectoral response to HIV

prevention and control programmes is one of the main objectives in the third

phase of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP).

The mainstreaming effort is being launched as the authorities have

recognised that the response to HIV can be effective only if it goes beyond the

health sector and connects to people from various sectors.

" HIV is not only just a health issue but also has a strong socio-economic

element, which makes it everyone's business.

Apart from the health interventions that have already been launched, we would

like the involvement of government and corporate sector and the civil society in

fighting HIV. We would like every department to respond to the challenge of

HIV/AIDS by identifying how best they can integrate HIV prevention activities

into their core business, " a senior KSACS official said.

AIDS Council

The formation of the State AIDS Council under the chairmanship of the Chief

Minister, with people's representatives as members, recently announced by the

Health Minister, is thus a move intended to seek multi-sectoral response to HIV.

The National AIDS Council has already been set up at the Centre under the Prime

Minister.

The KSACS has thus identified 11 government departments, including Social

Welfare, Education, Labour, Police, Prison, Tourism and Local Self Government,

with whom meaningful alliances could be forged to spread the message against

HIV.

Providing nutrition for women and children living with HIV is one major

mainstreaming effort of the Social Welfare Department.

Intervention schemes

The panchayats are already running several targeted intervention programmes;the

Prisons Department has started counselling and testing centres inside six major

prisons; and the Railways have also opened the same at select railway stations.

Sensitising staff

Mainstreaming can be done within an organisation also, by adapting policies and

practices to sensitise staff about HIV and reduce their vulnerabilities.

Some of the major issues that are being addressed through mainstreaming include

the stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS; issues faced

by HIV-positive persons at workplaces; issues in accessing medical care;

sexuality-related problems; and legal problems like denial of rights to property

faced by HIV-positive persons.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/14/stories/2008121453220400.htm

-

S.Ajai Kumar

Joint Director IEC

Kerala SACS

Red Cross Road

Thiruvananthapuram - 35

Kerala, India

e-mail: <ajai.ksacs@...>