Chandigarh, 22 Oct : FXB India Suraksha organized HIV/AIDS talk among female members of Labour families at Colony No-4 with mission of AIDS awareness and gender empowerment. Around 150 females between the age group of 20 to 45 took active part in the interactive sessions.
HIV/AIDS awareness talk was initiated by Dr. Vinita Gupta, Project Director, State AIDS Control Society, Chandigarh; she gave important information pertaining to HIV/AIDS, STIs/ RTIs and its repercussion on socio-economic life of Labour class. She narrated the steps taken by the Chandigarh AIDS Control Society under National AIDS Control programme in preventing spread of HIV/AIDS. She explained the concept of Bridge population and society efforts of preventing HIV/AIDS among Bridge population. She also talked about community rehabilitation of infected / affected people with the help of local NGOs, CBOs, FBOs and Administration.
Dr. Avnish Jolly also spoke and informed participants about Red Ribbon Express (A model of infotainment and biggest health awareness initiative by GOI in the World) and narrated need and achievements of it. He thank FXB India Suraksha and its volunteers for creating awareness among community members about Red Ribbon Express and its utility in curbing spread of HIV/AIDS. Dr. Jolly also talks about the participants of more women on Issue pertaining to HIV/AIDS and female feticides. Dr. Jolly expressed happiness over the programme of FXB as they are gender sensitive and promote gender equality. He asked other partners of sustainable social development to develop their projects / programme to be more gender oriented and specific.
On this occasion Dr. Kavita told participants abut STIs and places where its treatment is available and about new policy and steps taken in bringing down the spread of STIs infection. She called for experience social worker for contributing their experience on prevention of STIs as it will help in developing practical program.
Several questions were asked related to HIV/AIDS and STIs by participants and enquired about the types of facilities available for HIV infected/affected children other than the ART medicines and HIV testing. Women showed predilection towards issue of alcohol, drugs and drug abuse.
Mr. Umesh Baurai, Project Coordinator, FXB India Suraksha thank the volunteers and the participants with hope that Holistic approach will be preferred instead of Target approach, as holistic approach will be more beneficial and pragmatic in prevention and care and support in the purview of social work.