HIV-AIDS
AWARENESS CAMP
AIDS Control
Programme — HIV-AIDS continues to remain the greatest nightmare for the common man owing to the fact that there are still a lot of wrong assumptions held for the infection. Today the infection affects more than a millions of people and the number is increasing at an unprecedented rate. By now it is clear that complete cure of the infection is possible; what is possible is its prevention. To create awareness on various issues pertaining to HIV-AIDS, a workshop was organized at Khurda, which was attended by representatives from around twenty NGOs, CBOs and other local representatives from the communities.
IYS hasbeen trying to develop appropriate package to create awareness on various risk groups including truck drivers, migrant workers etc. In this effort the local youth clubs, krushak mandals, village health committees are being involved in an attempt to create awareness on the said issues in the community by using the help of cultural troops. It is usually seen that any message that is passed on to the community through cultural medium would leave the greatest impact. The same was clearly visible in the case of the use of local Pallas and street theatres to spread awareness on the issue of HIV-AIDS, that was attended by large number of people.
Special AIDS Awareness campaigns had been organised at the Bolagarh block of Khurda district to create awareness. awareness on the issue of HIV-AIDS. The intervention is supported by the State Aid Cell. The intention is to create awareness on different aspects of HIV in the community, on the one hand, and on the other, to make the people aware of the various provisions taken by the government in this direction.
1. HEALTH SERVICES — IYS has been trying to provide basic health care services to the communities in close collaboration with Anganwadi didi, ASHA and AMA. The organisation had tried to ensure that the health care services reach at the doorsteps of the common man. For the same, it has gone in for organising health camps with the help of a team of doctors, health workers and paramedical staff. Ten such camps had been organised in 2 districts, and the initiative had directly helped around 500 people of the intervention area.
2.TB Control Programme: Tuberculosis is a major health threat. It is a disease that is responsible for the death of hundreds of people every year. Realising the fact IYS has intervened in the direction and had organised a workshop on TB and its eradication at Khurda district. The workshop was attended by 50 village leaders. Dr. Raghunath Mishra was the main resource person for the workshop. Along with the workshop, a health camp was also organised. Mothers were advised to get their children vaccinated.
3.Immunization Programme: Khorda district has been declared by the State government as a sensitised area, as every year thousands of infants suffer from diarrhoea and malaria, and many children die owing to the ignorance of their parents. In order to address the situation, IYS took the initiative to orient the volunteers and the members of the village health committee on the causes and precautions to be taken during the time. Special mobile vans moved in the operational area to create awareness on the issue and even to immunise the children who have not been immunised. The mobile vans had a medical unit comprising of physician and a paramedic.staff. A total of 163 patients received medical aid. Also, an attempt had been made over last two years to give emphasis on yoga and naturapathy. The trained yoga teacher and the staff have been taking care to popularise it especially among the students and teachers.
Special programmes have also been held at the level of the community to create interest of the common man in the alternative forms of treatment. Regular yoga classes have been organised in five upper primary schools of Khurda district.
4. Water and Sanitation Programme (WATSAN) IYS is implementing water and sanitation programme with support of UNICEF and the Government in Khurda block of Khurda district in partnership of local CBOs, NGOs, etc. During the programme period, programmes on the issue have been continuing in 40 villages.
Village Sanitation Committee — In order to make the programme more effective at the grassroots level, village sanitation committees were formed in model villages. The committees served as the implementing body that took all responsibilities in the context of financial implications with regard to the hardware and software component of the programme. The program is still in operation.
School sanitation programme- The school sanitation program is continuing in Khurda block. Out of 143, 72 school toilets had already been completed. Awareness camps on health, Hygiene and sanitation have also been organised to create awareness on the said issue amongst the students.