Sensitization prog held on HIV, AIDS, drugs and blood donation

NAMCHI, 31 Oct: A sensitization programme on HIV, AIDS, substance abuse and voluntary blood donation was conducted for Nehru Yuva Kendra [NYK] volunteers and youth club members at Phodong [North Sikkim], Marchak [East Sikkim] and Namchi [South Sikkim] from 26 to 31 October.
A press release informs that District Youth Coordinator, NYK from North and South district, doctors from STNM Hospital and Namchi District Hospital, consultant (youth) SSACS, Counselor (ICTC) Namchi District Hospital and Coordinator Red Ribbon Clubs were the resource persons.
The main objective for conducting this sensitization programme was to disseminate information on HIV/AIDS to the rural masses for ‘early prevention’ and encouraging youth towards regular voluntary blood donation, it is mentioned.
Participants were encouraged to be active agents who can bring change in the society by educating others on HIV/AIDS, Drug Abuse and Behavioral Change.
Interactive session was conducted after the programme followed by on-the-spot HIV Testing which was taken by 26 participants at Namchi, the release adds.

KARTAVYA HITS THE ROAD

A street play on HIV/AIDS, “Kartavya”, written and directed by Deepak Sharma Dhakal, is currently travelling through Assam Lingzey, Pakyong and Rorathang. The performances began on 25 September and are scheduled to continue till 07 October. The street-play, under the banner of Mahila Kalyankari Sangh of Arithang, is sponsored by Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS].  (text and foto JOSEPH LEPCHA)

Even as number of new infections goes down, HIV remains a concern

ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 03 Dec: Forty-five new cases of HIV infections were recorded in the state in the year 2012. Since the first HIV +ve case was confirmed in Sikkim in 1995 and the first AIDS case reported in 2007, the number of reported HIV infections in the state has gone up from 157 cases  in 2009,  230 cases in October last year to 275 cases this year. The data reflects the detections made at different Integrated Counseling & Testing Centers (ICTC).
These figures could just be the tip of the ice-berg since sentinel surveys [a detailed data collection effort] have not been conducted in the state since the surveys of 2008-09. The 45 new cases registered are those reported at the ICTCs.
AIDS, meanwhile, has claimed 46 lives till date and in 2012 alone, 6 people died of the disease. At present, there are 67 people living with AIDS in Sikkim.
The SSACS Project Director, Dr. Uttam Pradhan informs that majority of the HIV+ve cases that have been registered in the state come under the 20-29 year old group.  Out of 243 cases in the 20-49 age group registered with SSACS, 112 cases come under the 20-29 age bracket which is now considered a high risk group.
HIV has also reached the second generation in children born with the virus [pre-natal] with 9 children below 10 year of age having been born with HIV with a possible six more similar cases in the next age-group of 11 to 19.
“Free medication, regular counseling, love and support is what SSACS has been providing to these victims as per the guidelines of NACO. Fighting this disease needs an open society and creating an open society requires awareness and knowledge related to this disease. Overcoming stigma and getting these people to live complete lives after the disease is also what SSACS has been working upon with dedication,” stated the Project Director.
While stating that SSACS will be carrying out a new sentinel survey starting January next year, Dr. Pradhan informs that this sentinel survey will cover all the targeted areas and collect data from different areas of intervention carried out by the society.
“It is necessary that awareness goes hand-in-hand with the post treatment phase of the patients since the society has a major part to play if we want an HIV/AIDS free state. With aware citizens we will be able to fight this disease even better,” explained the Project Director.
In this regard, he also informed that SSACS will be launching a Multi Media Campaign from 07 December with the registration of the Red Ribbon Drama and Red Ribbon Unplugged contests. The competition phase of the campaign will begin from January next year.
The winners of the drama contest will be awarded Rs. 50,000 while the winner of the unplugged musical competition will have a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh.
“We have been concentrating on generating awareness at the village level now with the Red Ribbon Campaign being very enthusiastically participated by people from the districts. This year we are going to organize the finals of the drama competition at all the district headquarters, a final for each district. Auditions for the unplugged competition will also be held in all districts with an aim to bring out the best talents from the rural areas and also to generate awareness related to the disease during the same,” stated the Project Director.