Azad launches Red Ribbon Express Ph III

New Delhi, Jan 12 (IBNS) Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday launched the National AIDS Control Organization's Red Ribbon Express Phase III.

Speaking on the occasion, Azad said that it is satisfying that the ´innovative initiative´ of multi-media and multi-sectoral mass mobilization project of Red Ribbon Express is commended globally.

At various fora, India, China and South Africa are noted for their efforts at being able to reduce the instances of HIV/AIDS infection by 50% over the last decade, he noted.

Azad elaborated that Red Ribbon Express in its Ist Phase, launched on December 01, 2007 by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, focused on information dissemination.

The IInd Phase of RRE in 2009 added the element of counseling and treatment services on board and in its IIIrd Phase now, RRE is focusing on micro planning with exhibitions in IEC vans and folk troupes, particularly in the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhattisgarh, so as to be able to reach out to public even in the periphery of the districts through which the train will pass.

The RRE launch ceremony was also graced by the Union Minister for Railways Dinesh Trivedi, Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit, MoS MoHFW S Gandhiselvan, Oscar Fernandes, several Members of Parliament, Secretary H&FW P K Pradhan, Addl Secretary NACO Aradhana Johri, Chairman Railway Board, Development Partners and senior officials of Ministries of H&FW and Railways.

The focus of the Red Ribbon Project - Ph III, is on the youth and hence the launch has been timed with the National Youth Day and the birthday of Swami Vivekanand.

The specially designed RRE during its year long journey will travel through 23 States, it will cover 162 halt stations. It has three exhibition coaches with exhibits on HIV and AIDS while the fourth exhibition coach on National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has exhibits on Tuberculosis, Malaria, Reproductive and Child Health services, general health and hygiene.

There is one coach also on counseling and another one for conducting trainings of local stakeholders such as members of Panchayati Raj Institutions, self help groups, health workers, youth organizations, teachers, police personnel etc.

The RRE Phase III Project will continue to focus on rural and difficult to reach areas with an objective of disseminating the information regarding primary prevention services, developing an understanding about the infection to reduce the stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and strengthening people's knowledge while focusing on youth, in particular, about the measures to be taken to prevent HIV/AIDS to adopt preventive health behavior.

The On- Board planned Activities include Interactive Exhibition carrying messages on Health, HIV and AIDS; Sensitization and training on Health, HIV and AIDS; Counseling and testing facilities; General health check up, STI treatment and referral service and Adolescent/ youth friendly Reproductive and Sexual Health Services information.

The planned Outreach Activities will also have Red Ribbon Buses carrying a portable version of train exhibition; Counseling and testing services; Condom demonstration stalls as also Inter Personal Communication via local folk media.