Partner NGOs run targeted intervention (TI) projects in the areas having high risk population like CSWs (Commercial Sex Workers), MSMs (Males having sex with Males), IDUs (Injecting Drug Users), Truck Drivers etc.. Key services provided through TIs include early detection and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Condom Promotion, Behaviour Change Communication and Creation of enabling environment.
All pregnant women registered in government hospitals are tested for their HIV Sero status at PPTCT Centres. In case a pregnant woman tests positive, the mother-baby pair is given Nevirapine Prophylaxis (An antiretroviral drug aimed at prevention of HIV infection in the new born). Any person wishing to know his HIV status can directly walk into any ICTC Centre where Pre-test/Post-test counseling and testing are conducted. Counseling & Testing services enable a client to confidentially explore and understand his/her risk of HIV infection and learn strategies (for preventing HIV & reducing risk of acquiring HIV infection. Treatment (1st line) are provided free of cost at ART Centre.
One Drop-in Centre has also been set up in Sector 15 which is managed by HIV positive people registered under “Chandigarh Network of Positive People” and share their problems to get emotional support from each other. Regular meetings are organized at Drop-in-Centre. Legal experts/doctors/nutritional experts are invited as resource persons in such meetings.
Community Care Centre, a hospice has also been set up at Khuda Alisher for HIV positive people. Besides providing medicare and nutritional support, tangible social support and emotion oriented coping is also provided.
The safety of Blood and Blood products, mandatory testing of every unit of blood is done against five Transfusion Transmitted Infections (TTIs) in all the four licensed blood banks.
Adolescence Education Programme is implemented in all High and Senior Secondary Schools of Chandigarh.
STI Control Programme, four STI clinics have been established to provide treatment, counseling services, free condoms to patients with symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
Training to doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, lab. technicians, counselors and field staff is imparted on regular basis.
Sentinel Surveillance is conducted every year to assess the HIV prevalence as elsewhere in the country following strategy defined by National AIDS Control Organisation. Blood samples from general population and high risk groups are tested for HIV in an unlinked anonymous way over a period of three months during sentinel surveillance. |
