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“Link Workers
Scheme “helps rural population:
Dr.Bimal Charles, PD, APAC.
Trichy, Nov.28: Link Workers scheme, coordinated by APAC as
initiated by Government aims to increase demand generation, service
utilization by strengthening referral linkages & community
mobilization to address issues of stigma discrimination among core
group & PLHA in the rural areas.Dr.Bimal Charles participated in the
cycle rally flagging function organized by TANSAC and its district
unit in Trichy.More than 100 young women, college students, members
of red ribbon clubs, SHG members, staff of the District AIDS
Prevention and Control Unit, APAC-NGOs team left the Trichy on 27th
November on a 50-km cycle rally to Ariyalur, as part of the
awareness drive in the run-up to observing World AIDS Day on
December 1.The rally also aimed at creating awareness on the Tamil
Nadu Trust for Children Affected by HIV/AIDS and its initiatives to
reach out to such children.
The
rally was flagged off by District Collector Kasirajan at Trichy Anna
Stadium in the presence of Dr.Bimal Charles, Project Director, AIDS
Prevention Control Project, APAC.
DR.K.Govindaraju, SEVAI NGO Head and treasurer of District Welfare
Committee, District Sports officer, Dr.Kalaiselvan signed the red
ribbon and handed over to Dr.Leelavathy, District Programme Manager.
Joint Director Dr.Mohana Sundaram, Deputy Director, Dr.Veerapandian
of Health services, PAC NGOs Heads and functionaries were present.
Till
Ariyalur, the rally covered 50 km to sensitise the people in the
rural areas also to AIDS (acquired immuno deficiency syndrome)
prevention. Dr. Leelavathy said that APAC-NGOs, APAC, College
Students, co-ordinators in the integrated counselling and testing
centres in the district were also taking part in the rally. Along
the rally route, the volunteers distributed pamphlets containing
AIDS prevention message and guidelines to the public. APAC, Trichy
Regional Resource Centre cultural team, headed by Amala performed
thematic street plays in Anna Stadium and Tolegate areas. A van with
a public address system was also part of the rally.NGO
functionaries, Volunteers, students, health staff involved in AIDS
prevention programmes desminated the message to the people about the
reasons owing to which people contracted HIV (human immuno-deficiency
virus) and how they would become full-blown AIDS cases. At the same
time, the campaign focused on educating the public on how to prevent
HIV and also how persons with HIV could lead normal life with proper
treatment.
While speaking to NGO functionaries in Trichy,
Dr.Bimal Charles, Project Director, APAC said that APAC with the
support of TNSACS is implementing the “Link Workers Scheme”. APAC is
a co-implementer for this scheme. This scheme aims to increase
demand generation, service utilization by strengthening referral
linkages & community mobilization to address issues of stigma
discrimination among core group & PLHA in the rural areas. The Link
Worker programs is implemented in three phases, preparing the
community, strengthening community structures and responses and
handing over integration into health system and exist. The link
worker scheme is useful to reach out to the rural population with
the focus among the high risk population such as youth, women etc.
He also appreciated the initiatives of TANSAC organising this
passing from Nagarkoil, through Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti,
Virudhunagar, Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Manapparai, Tiruchi,
Ariyalur, Perambalur, Chengalpattu and reach Chennai on December 1,
World AIDs day with the main aim of this rally was to create
awareness among the people of involving persons affected by HIV/AIDS
particularly the children in the mainstream by community
participation. He appreciated Tamilnadu Government as it was
extending welfare measures to 1,595 children including education
assistance, nutritious food and other essential items to them in
different parts of the State. -
Namakaha News
Service
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