INVC,,
Chandigarh,,
AIDS awareness has increased in Chandigarh. Data shows that the number of clients voluntarily walking in to the Integrated Counseling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) has increased both from the general population and High Risk Groups (HRGs). The New Case Detection Rate amongst these clients has been found to decline from 7.1% in the year 2008 to 2.19% in the year 2012. 17405 cases were tested in 2008 and 1239 found positive. 34581 cases tested in 2012 uptill October, 2012 and 758 have been found positive. The prevalence of HIV as measured by the positivity in pregnant women also shows a decline from 0.25% to 0.23%. This clearly shows that the HIV infection is on the decline in Chandigarh. Chandigarh has planned to optimally utilize the opportunity being provided by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Railways in the form of the Red Ribbon Express to further spread the awareness to the community, so that Chandigarh can reach the target of Zero New Infections, Zero AIDS related deaths and Zero Stigma and Discrimination. The Red Ribbon Express Train is arriving at Chandigarh Railway station at Platform No. 1 on December 12, 2012 and will be open for public viewing till December 14, 2012 from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM. Sh. Mohammed Shayin IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh Administration, informed that the Red Ribbon Express has four exhibition coaches with exhibits on HIV and AIDS and National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). NRHM exhibits are on Tuberculosis, Malaria, Reproductive and Child Health Services, General health and hygiene. There is one coach for conducting trainings of local stakeholders. The main objectives of the RRE are to disseminate information regarding prevention and services, developing an understanding about the infection to reduce stigma and discrimination against People living with HIV/AIDS, strengthening people’s knowledge about the measures to be taken to prevent HIV/AIDS, and adopting preventive health habits and lifestyle. The train also has 1 coach equipped as an auditorium to provide training to batches of 60 trainees. It has been planned to have atleast 4 training batches everyday from 12th to 14th December. The 6th coach will be equipped to serve as a health centre. 4 Specialists to treat Sexually Transmitted Infections/Reproductive Tract Infections will provide free treatment. Also, free counseling and testing services for HIV will be available throughout the 3 days. Dr. Vanita Gupta, Project Director Chandigarh SACS informed that minimum 5,000 people are expected to visit the train everyday. Appropriate arrangements have been made for smooth functioning. Free pick up has also been organized. Awareness about the train is being spread since 7th December, 2012. A specially fabricated Van is also moving about the city specially in the slums, carrying folk troupes to inform the public about the RRE and sensitized them on HIV/AIDS.
