The three-day conference was organised to know views of different agencies working in the field of HIV/AIDS awareness programmes.
Agencies working with HIV/AIDS awareness meet to share views
MUMBAI: “India is the only country emphasising on linking the HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness programmes. World is watching India and so it can be a role model,” said Dr Catherine D’Arcangues from the department of reproductive health and research of the World Health Organisation (WHO). She made her observations at the Indian Council of Medical Research conference held in the city.
The three-day conference was organised to know views of different agencies working in the field of HIV/AIDS awareness programmes with a view to bringing in better coordination and avoiding duplication of work.
Workers at the grass-root level were trying hard to make people aware about the disease and the treatment. “Yet, a call for guidance from the top level is what everyone is looking for,” said D’Arcangues.
Educating HIV/AIDS-affected people and those reaching out to them is the biggest concern for the agencies working in the field, viewed some agencies who participated in the. The conference designed recommendations keeping in mind the sexual and reproductive needs of those already infected by HIV/AIDS or are vulnerable to contact it. They will be submitted to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
There should be peer service providers in HIV/AIDS awareness programmes for key population like female doctors for female sex workers and male doctors for male drug users, Dr Tilly Sellers suggested. “Rural youth should be roped in to sensitise elders about HIV/AIDS along with youth connect programmes,” said Dr P Bandopadhay and recommended round-the-clock emergency contraceptive information.
Suggestions were also made to cover jail inmates and physically handicapped people under the HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness programmes. Given that youth is the epicentre of this disease, one of the groups strongly recommended their involvement in every stage. Encouragement to sex education in schools was also one of the recommendations.
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