World AIDS Day coming up

WAD Celebration in Darjeeling - Poster

World AIDS Day 2012, observed worldwide on 1 December since 1998, is just round the bend. World AIDS Day unites people from around the world to raise awareness of the global AIDS response and join, in solidarity, the millions of people living with and affected by HIV.
 
“Getting to Zero” is the theme of World AIDS Day, echoing the UNAIDS vision of achieving “zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, zero AIDS-related deaths.” This theme will be used until 2015.
 
Here are some popular messages suggested by some of our friends and supporters. Lets try and keep them in our mind as we go through our lives this coming year.
 

• A nation’s greatest weakness is measured by how it treats its weakest members. – Mahatma Gandhi. How do you treat People living with HIV/AIDS?
• STOP AIDS – Don’t share body piercing objects.
• STOP AIDS– Practice safe sex
• STOP AIDS – Use sterilized sharps, needles and HIV tested blood.
• STOP AIDS – There are no high risk groups, only high risk behavior.
• GETTING TO ZERO – HIV is a manageable infection.
• GETTING TO ZERO – Get tested, know your HIV status.
• GETTING TO ZERO – Each one, teach one about HIV/AIDS.
• HIV does not discriminate. We are all vulnerable to HIV.
• REDUCE STIGMA – Provide care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS.
• REDUCE STIGMA – LOVE and Respect people living with HIV/AIDS.
• REDUCE STIGMA - Embrace people living with HIV/AIDS.
• REMOVE MISCONCEPTIONS – HIV/AIDS is not spread by sharing food or water.
• REMOVE MISCONCEPTIONS – Body contact does NOT spread HIV/AIDS. It is okay to hug, kiss, touch or hold hands with People living with HIV/AIDS .

  

Workshop on Awareness in HIV/AIDS, STI/RTI and Universal Precautions Organized for Health Workers of Rural hospital, Bijanbari

A one day training session on HIV/AIDS, STI/RTI, and Universal Work Precaution was organized by Shanker Foundation for the health workers of the Rural Hospital of Bijanbari at GDNS in Darjeeling on the 8th of September.

The session began with a welcome speech by Nisha Chettri followed by a brief introduction by all the participants. There were about 70 health workers along with the BMOH who attended the training session.

A presentation on HIV/AIDS, its Routes of Transmission, Prevention, Myths and Misconceptions were made by Hari Chettri.

In the second session Hari Chettri continued his presentation on Stages of HIV, Impact of HIV, CD4 cell count test, OI (Opportunistic Infection), Treatment and Benefits of ART, etc. He also spoke on Social Marketing of Condom. Shankermani Rai then gave a demonstration on how to use a male condom.

Case study on social stigma and discrimination was presented by Hari Chettri.

In the third session Nisha Chettri gave a presentation on STI/RTI, the Transmission, Signs and Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention, etc.

In the fourth session a presentation on Universal Precautions for the health workers was given by Sona Rana Subba. She explained in details regarding the medicines like PEP (POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS) to be used within 72 hours in case of exposure. She also spoke on other issues related to HIV like NEVARAPINE that   is to be given to the infected women when she is about to conceive and two drops of the same medicine to be given to the new born baby.

After the sessions, the BMOH of rural hospital Bijanbari asked some basic questions to the participants from the presentation of the day and also told them other important things that were missing in the presentation. NACO’s guideline under NACP III was also discussed by him which is to be followed till 2012. He presented data on the number of people suffering from HIV/AIDS and the tests conducted till date within Bijanbari block as well as India.

The program ended with a vote of thanks by Sona Rana Subba, followed by lunch for the participants.