Saturday, November 30, 2013

World AIDS Day 2013 - Media Digest 1

World AIDS Day: Various Programmes Planned

By Express News Service - THIRUVANANTHPURAM | Published: 30th November 2013

Various programmes will be held in the district on Saturday and Sunday as part of the observance of World AIDS Day that falls on December 1.

On Sunday, actor Suresh Gopi will flag off an AIDS awareness rally from Kanakakkunnu Palace at 9.30 am, the Collector said.

Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor will officially inaugurate the World AIDS Day observance at University College Senate Hall at 11 am.

Read the full news story by clicking here

Kerala to empower grama sabhasBy Special Correspondent - The Hindu | November 29, 2013

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said that the government is considering delegation of powers to the grama sabhas to recommend beneficiaries for various welfare programmes of the State and Central governments.

The Chief Minister was discussing follow up action with Collectors of eight districts, where mass contact programmes had been held, through a video conference. Mr. Chandy said the grama sabhas were in a better position to select the beneficiaries as they had direct knowledge of the local situation and problems.

For AIDS patients

He said that a comprehensive package would be brought for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons affected by AIDS. Medical treatment, education of children, and rehabilitation would be included in the package.

Read the full news story by clicking here

Read the story on the same topic by The New Indian Express by clicking here

Uncertainty Over Installing EquipmentExpress News Service | Published Date: Nov 30, 2013

In the wake of the World AIDS Day on December 1, District Medical Officer K Salila said here on Friday that she was hopeful of installing the most modern equipment for blood nucleic acid test (NAT) at the District Hospital Blood Bank.

But Director of Health Services P K Jameela expressed her unwillingness in installing the equipment by taking into account the huge cost involved.

Read the full news story by clicking here

World AIDS Day 2013 | Special Feature - Getting to ZeroManoramaOnline.com

Read the feature in malayalam by clicking here

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Friday, November 29, 2013

കേരളത്തില്‍ എച്ച്.ഐ.വി. അണുബാധ കുറയുന്നു

കേരളത്തില്‍ എച്ച്.ഐ.വി. അണുബാധ കുറയുന്നു

29 Nov 2013

തൃശ്ശൂര്‍: സംസ്ഥാനത്ത് എച്ച്.ഐ.വി. അണുബാധിതരുടെ എണ്ണം കുത്തനെ കുറയുന്നു. ഈ വര്‍ഷം ഒക്ടോബര്‍ വരെ 3.95 ലക്ഷം പേര്‍ എച്ച്.ഐ.വി. പരിശോധനയ്ക്ക് വിധേയരായപ്പോള്‍ 1378 പേര്‍ക്കാണ് അണുബാധ കണ്ടെത്തിയിട്ടുള്ളത്. 2005 ല്‍ 30, 596 പേരില്‍ പരിശോധന നടത്തിയപ്പോള്‍ 2627 പേരില്‍ അണുബാധ കണ്ടെത്തിയിരുന്നു.

2005 ല്‍ 8054 പുരുഷന്മാരും 22502 സ്ത്രീകളുമാണ് പരിശോധനയ്ക്ക് വിധേയരായത്. ഇതില്‍ 1476 പുരുഷന്മാര്‍ക്കും 1151 സ്ത്രീകള്‍ക്കും അണുബാധയുണ്ടെന്ന് തെളിഞ്ഞു. 2012 ല്‍ 1.66 ലക്ഷം പുരുഷന്മാരും 2.70 ലക്ഷം സ്ത്രീകളും പരിശോധനയ്ക്ക് വിധേയരായപ്പോള്‍ 1135 പുരുഷന്മാര്‍ക്കും 774 സ്ത്രീകള്‍ക്കുമാണ് അണുബാധയുണ്ടെന്ന് കണ്ടെത്തിയത്. അമ്മയില്‍നിന്ന് കുട്ടിയിലേക്കു പകരുന്നതും നിയന്ത്രണത്തിലായിട്ടുണ്ട്. വര്‍ഷത്തില്‍ ഒന്നോ രണ്ടോ കുട്ടികള്‍ക്ക് മാത്രമാണ് രോഗപ്പകര്‍ച്ചയുണ്ടാകുന്നത്. നേരത്തെ ഇത് 20 ന് മുകളിലായിരുന്നു. 15 വര്‍ഷം കഴിഞ്ഞാല്‍ എച്ച്.ഐ.വി. പോസിറ്റീവ് ആയ കുട്ടികള്‍ ഉണ്ടാകില്ലെന്നാണ് അധികൃതരുടെ വിലയിരുത്തല്‍. അണുബാധയുണ്ടെന്ന് ഉറപ്പിച്ചാല്‍ ജീവിതം അവസാനിപ്പിക്കുന്നതിന് പകരം തിരിച്ച് കൊണ്ടുവരാനുള്ള കൗണ്‍സിലിങ്ങുകളും ഫലപ്രദമാകുന്നുണ്ട്. കേരള എയ്ഡ്‌സ് കണ്‍ട്രോള്‍ സൊസൈറ്റിയുടെ ബോധവത്കരണ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനങ്ങളും മെച്ചപ്പെട്ട ചികിത്സയുമാണ് അണുബാധിതരുടെ എണ്ണത്തില്‍ വലിയ രീതിയില്‍ കുറവുണ്ടാകാന്‍ കാരണമെന്ന് ഈ രംഗത്ത് പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്നവര്‍ വിലയിരുത്തുന്നു.

അണുബാധ സ്ഥിരീകരിച്ചതിന് ശേഷം ചികിത്സാ കേന്ദ്രങ്ങളില്‍ എത്താതിരിക്കുന്നവരെ കണ്ടെത്താനുള്ള ശ്രമങ്ങളാണ് അടുത്ത ഘട്ടത്തില്‍ ആലോചിക്കുന്നത്. എ.ആര്‍.ടി. സെന്ററുകളില്‍നിന്ന് പ്രതിവര്‍ഷം 50-60 പേര്‍ ഇങ്ങനെ അപ്രത്യക്ഷമാകുന്നുണ്ട്. രജിസ്റ്റര്‍ ചെയ്ത് മരുന്ന് തുടരേണ്ട സാഹചര്യമില്ല എന്ന് കാണുമ്പോള്‍ പിന്നീട് രോഗികള്‍ ചികിത്സാ കേന്ദ്രങ്ങളിലേക്ക് എത്തുകയില്ല. അവരുടെ ആരോഗ്യ സ്ഥിതിയും അറിയാനാകില്ല. എയ്ഡ്‌സ് നിയന്ത്രണത്തിലായെങ്കിലും രോഗം പകരാനുള്ള സാഹചര്യങ്ങളില്‍ മാറ്റമുണ്ടായിട്ടില്ല. രോഗം വ്യാപിക്കാതിരിക്കാന്‍ നിലവിലുള്ള സംവിധാനം ഇനിയും 50 വര്‍ഷത്തോളം തുടരേണ്ടി വരും. രോഗബാധിതരായവര്‍ക്ക് തുടര്‍ചികിത്സകളിലൂടെ ജീവിതം നയിക്കാന്‍ കഴിയുന്നുണ്ടെന്നും തൃശ്ശൂര്‍ ഗവണ്‍മെന്റ് മെഡിക്കല്‍ കോളേജിലെ എ.ആര്‍.ടി. സെന്റര്‍ മേധാവി ഡോ.കെ. അജിത്കുമാര്‍ പറഞ്ഞു.

തൃശ്ശൂര്‍ ഗവണ്‍മെന്റ് മെഡിക്കല്‍ കോളേജില്‍ 2002 മുതല്‍ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്ന എ.ആര്‍.ടി. സെന്ററില്‍ 5122 പേര്‍ ചികിത്സ തേടി. 3038 പേര്‍ തുടര്‍ച്ചയായി സെന്ററില്‍ എത്തി മരുന്നുകള്‍ കഴിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. 1845 പേര്‍ മെഡിക്കല്‍ കോളേജിലും 557 പേര്‍ മറ്റ് ചികിത്സാ കേന്ദ്രങ്ങള്‍ക്ക് കീഴിലുമാണുള്ളത്. 11 വര്‍ഷത്തെ മരണ നിരക്ക് 12 ശതമാനമാണ്. 63 പേരാണ് തുടര്‍ ചികിത്സകള്‍ക്ക് എത്താത്തത്. ജില്ലയില്‍ നാല് ലിങ്ക് എ.ആര്‍.ടി. സെന്ററുകള്‍ ഇതിന് കീഴില്‍ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. മെഡിക്കല്‍ കോളേജില്‍ വരേണ്ടതില്ലാത്ത രോഗികള്‍ക്ക് ഈ കേന്ദ്രങ്ങളില്‍നിന്ന് ചികിത്സ തേടാം. ഗര്‍ഭിണികള്‍, ക്ഷയ രോഗികള്‍, ലൈംഗികരോഗങ്ങള്‍ ഉള്ളവര്‍, രക്തദാനത്തിന് എത്തുന്നവര്‍ എന്നിവരെയെല്ലാം എച്ച്.ഐ.വി പരിശോധനയ്ക്ക് വിധേയരാക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. പോസിറ്റീവ് കാണുന്നവരെ കൗണ്‍സിലിങ് നല്‍കി ചികിത്സ തുടങ്ങും. കേരളത്തില്‍ 20, 000 ത്തിലേറെ രോഗികള്‍ ഉണ്ടെന്നാണ് ഇപ്പോഴത്തെ കണക്ക്.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/2643044/2013-11-29/kerala

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Re: [KeralaAIDS] KSACS boards public transport

Dear all,

Good news indeed.

This new venture would definitely be contributing much in the efforts to convey the messages to the targeted audience.

But the statement " This is the first time we would be engaging the public transport system to spread the message against HIV" is not correct. This media was used by KSACS effectively way back in the early years of 2000 when Mr. Joe Joseph was the IEC Officer of KSACS.

During the period, auto rickshaws plying in cities like Trivandrum (back panel of Auto rickshaw), KSRTC buses(inside, etc back side and side-panels, long distance trucks etc were used very effectively. I remember that KSACS could persuade Transport Commissioner to issue directives for this also.

Any way wishing success to the effort.

--
KP KRISHNA KUMAR
TC 13/ 1900(3)- ASWATHY

KOICKAL LANE

KUMARAPURAM

MEDICAL COLLEGE POST

TRIVANDRUM

KERALA-695011

On Tue, May 14, 2013 at 6:01 AM, Media Monitor KeralaAIDS@gmail.com> wrote:

Public transport to drive campaign against HIV

G Rajiv, TNN | May 13, 2013

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The influx of migrant labourers in the state has made the Kerala State Aids Control Society (KSACS) think of boarding the public transport system to spread awareness on HIV.

To begin with, 150 buses operated both by the government and private players in Palakkad, Thrissur and Pathanamthitta districts would run the campaign against HIV. The KSACS selected the three districts to rollout the first phase of the awareness drive due to the high prevalence of HIV.

"This is the first time we would be engaging the public transport system to spread the message against HIV,'' said a KSACS official.

The 150 buses would be carrying messages by actor Mohanlal, the brand ambassador of the society. "The messages will be in different languages so it will help educate people from outside the state,'' said the official.

He added that the society would enter into a six-month contract with bus operators in the three districts, and would be extended after reviewing its impact. The KSACS would later extend the campaign in phases to other districts.

A sexual health intervention project being carried out in seven districts, and the preliminary findings have revealed high-risk groups among migrant labourers.

As many as 11 cases were found positive in Kasaragod alone a year ago. The finding acted as an eye-opener and authorities have been mulling over conducting an exhaustive study and screening of migrants to bring out the real picture.

"The migrants' level of awareness should be improved. We are finding it difficult to reach out to them due to language barriers. Hence we hope that this new mode of campaign could bridge the gap,'' said the official.

The KSACS has also initiated talks with the southern railway to replicate the same on trains plying in the state. The society has already been running a campaign on blood donation on trains.

Besides buses and trains, the KSACS also has plans to use government establishments in the state to spread awareness on HIV.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Public-transport-to-drive-campaign-against-HIV/articleshow/20022163.cms

Copyright © 2013 Bennett, Coleman Co. Ltd.

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HIV-infected Face Stigma in Hospitals in the State ( Shalet Jimmy | New Indian Express | 28 Nov 2013 )

HIV-infected Face Stigma in Hospitals in the State

By Shalet Jimmy - KOCHI

Published: 28th November 2013 08:10 AM

It is assumed that the state has come a long way in battling stigma associated with HIV-infected patients. Contrary to this assumption, there are hospitals in the state, including government ones, that are reluctant to conduct surgeries and caesarian sections on HIV patients.

Dr P K Jameela, the director of Health Services, said that such discriminatory practices exist in the state.

"A directive has been passed in this regard and strict action will be taken against those who practise discrimination," she said.

Universal precautionary measures are to be followed irrespective of whether the patient is HIV-affected or not.

"This does not mean that all doctors discriminate," she added.

An activist at an NGO involved in rehabilitating HIV patients said that a general fear associated with HIV infection is still wide-spread among people.

Citing an incidence, he said a man in need of an angiogram test and surgery was denied the same by a medical college.

"They kept on postponing his surgery until a doctor from a private hospital whom he had consulted approached us with the issue," he said.

Similarly, several HIV-infected pregnant women are denied Caesarian section, which is preferred to prevent the child from getting infected with the virus.

"An HIV-infected woman had to travel all the way from Kannur to Kozhikode, as the district hospital referred her to the Kozhikode Medical College which in turn referred her to some other hospitals," he pointed out.

According to sources, many hospitals are reluctant to conduct surgeries on HIV patients on the pretext that they do not have the necessary instruments or sterilizing equipment for the purpose.

Dr Ajith Kumar K, additional professor, Thrissur Medical College, said that there is a dearth of facilities at government hospitals for conducting surgery.

"A hospital would have only a single equipment for conducting gastroscopy, even as several patients wait for the treatment. A doctor has to to choose between an HIV patient and many other patients. Equipment used on an HIV patient cannot be immediately used on other patients, until it is properly sterilised. The risk of contracting the disease is otherwise high," he said.

http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/HIV-infected-Face-Stigma-in-Hospitals-in-the-State/2013/11/28/article1915452.ece

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

'Vihaan' to the aid of HIV victims (The New Indian Express | 26 Nov 2013)

'Vihaan' to the aid of HIV victims

Author: Shalet Jimmy

Published Date: Nov 26, 2013 12:22 PM
Last Updated: Nov 26, 2013 12:22 PM

The project aims to involve the patients in tackling the fear. HIV patients will be trained to offer counselling to fellow patients

Even as new medicines to prolong the life of the HIV-infected hit the counters, people hesitate to undertake the HIV test due to the fear of the stigma associated with it.

But the project launched by CPK+ Council of People Living with HIV/ AIDS in Kerala, a non-profit and community-based organisation to mitigate it, is slowly scripting success.

The project aims to involve the patients in tackling the fear. HIV patients will be trained to offer counselling to fellow patients. Titled 'Vihaan', it covers the 14 districts and aims at identifying each and every HIV infected person in the district. It is perhaps the first-of-its-kind in the state.

Since its launch in June, 'Vihaan' has about 400 patients under its ambit in Kochi alone. "By appointing HIV patients as counsellors, we want to send out a positive signal that they have a life ahead and a prominent role to play in mainstream society," says Joseph Mathew, president, CPK+.

At the counselling centres, female sex workers (FSW), transgenders (TG), hijras, MSM will receive information on care and support. They will have access to a range of health referrals, education and linkages to social welfare schemes and entitlements. The structure of the service centres is in accordance with the vision, mission and scope of National Aids Control Organisation NACP.

Joseph says, the revelation of one's own identity was the major bottleneck that forced them to keep off the HIV test. Even if they undertake the test, they stop taking the medication midway for fear that their identity may be revealed. "Hence our aim is to counsel them to fight the stigma," he says.

Though early diagnosis has helped reduce the number of children infected with HIV, a considerable number of children are still fighting it. "We disclose the fact that they are HIV infected when they are seven or eight years old. That lessens the quantum of shock. Sometimes, children ask us why they are taking medication. So it is better to reveal it to them at a young age," he further adds.

The official says, it is tough to tackle the high risk groups such as women, children transgenders and hijras who are addicted to drugs, especially injections.

http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/Vihaan-to-the-aid-of-HIV-victims/2013/11/26/article1911972.ece

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Kerala state to pay Rs 5L to HIV victim

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has ordered the state government to pay a compensation of Rs 5 lakh and monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 to a girl, 8, hailing from Mananthavady, who was infected with HIV following blood transfusion at government hospitals.

The commission also ordered that modern equipment for blood transfusion should be ensured at government hospitals to avoid such incidents.

The commission member K.E. Gangadharan, who issued the order, maintained that the government could not escape the responsibility for the incident. The girl, who was undergoing treatment for thalassaemia, was given blood transfusion 44 times since 2007 at government hospitals, including Wayanad District Hospital and Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. She was detected with HIV on July 20, 2012.

The commission order also said that the government should bear the entire treatment and education expenses of the girl who is from a financially weak background.

HIV was detected after the girl was hospitalised following fever and skin problems. The girl's parents initially refused to complain fearing social stigma. Later, they gave a memorandum to Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130820/news-current-affairs/article/kerala-state-pay-rs-5l-hiv-victim

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Kochi Corporation DIC in search of Building; To include IGP and Nutritional Support as well

October 30, 2013

Drop-in centre for HIV-positive persons planned

Special Correspondent

A drop-in centre for HIV-positive persons will be opened shortly in the city.
The centre, an initiative of the Health Standing Committee of the Kochi Corporation, will function as a short-stay home for infected persons who come to the city for antiretroviral treatment.

Patients who would have to stay near the hospitals for conducting tests could drop in at the centre, said S. Resana, project manager, Centre for Advanced Projects and Solutions. The centre is partnering with the civic body for the project. About 100 HIV-positive persons living in the city limits have been identified. The centre would also offer livelihood solutions for the affected persons and their families, she said. The infected will be trained in income generating programmes such as tailoring, and manufacturing of paper bags and pens.

The rehabilitation programme of the affected persons would be implemented in collaboration with the local Kudumbasree units, said Ms. Resana. The identified persons in the city include sex workers and people infected due to drug use. The affected will be given nutritional food to meet their dietary requirements. Their health conditions would be regularly monitored, she said.

Currently, there is no such facility for the affected persons. The one that was run by the State authorities was closed down for want of funds, she said.
T.K. Ashraf, chairman of the Health Standing Committee, said the civic body had earmarked Rs. 6 lakh for the project from the Poverty Social Fund of the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project. The authorities are in search of a building for setting up the centre. It should be set up in close proximity to the district hospital from where the affected persons could receive medical treatment, said Ms. Resana.

Printable version
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/dropin-centre-for-hivpositive-persons-planned/article5286282.ece
© The Hindu

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