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AIDS
Prevention & Control Activities in Tamil Nadu
Blood
Safety Measures :
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Safe
blood is now available for transfusion in
63 Government blood banks which have been
modernised by providing cold chain equipment
such as air conditioners, refrigerators and
HIV testing equipment and kits. Two
blood component separation units were started
at Madras Medical College, Chennai and Madurai
Medical College, Madurai. The
working of 101 private blood banks is closely
monitored to ensure the availability of safe
blood. The Government has initiated these
steps to combat HIV transmission through blood
transfusion. All blood banks are required
to conduct mandatory tests for VDRL, HbsAg,
HIV and Malaria that are monitored through
a monthly reporting system and periodical
inspection. Besides a number of blood donation
campaigns and blood donor clubs are also being
organised by TNSACS. |
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Mega Blood Donation
Camp
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National
Blood Donation Day is celebrated in Tamil
Nadu in a fitting manner every year. We have
conducted a Mega Blood Donation campaign during
2001 and collected 3783 units of blood in
one day under one roof with the participation
of 95 Colleges, 150 Medical Officers, 250
Lab Technicians and about 200 Volunteers.
During 2002 we have conducted a Student Rally
in Chennai city with the participation of
College students and felicitate the Voluntary
Blood Donors and a scientific session at Anna
University. |
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Blood Banks in the State
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The total number of blood banks in the State
is 173. Out of that, 68 are licensed Blood
Banks functioning under the Government. The
rest of the licensed Blood Banks are functioning
under the Private/Voluntary/Quasi Government
sectors.
Total No. of AIDS/HIV Patients in the State
as on Aug 2002.
Male
: 17,293
Female : 5,533
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Total 22,826
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Family
Health Awareness Campaign
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In
order to make awareness & control the
STD cases and HIV/AIDS cases in rural areas
and other vulnerable group of population and
to encourage Health seeking behaviour among
the general populations, Family Health Awareness
compaign was conducted in the State (i.e.)
during 1999 - 2000, 2000 - 2001 ( 1st to 15th
July) & 2001 - 2002 (1st to 15th March) |
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The
details of target fixed and achieved in these camps are
given below:-
CAMP
POPULATION TARGET ACHIEVED TOTAL
ESTIMATED ACTUALLY ATTENDED MALE FEMALE
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| 1999
- 2000 |
2,85,86,258
11,23,279 1,14,318 7,60,466 8,74,784 |
| 2000
- 2001 |
2,36,67,219
8,34,460 97,292 5,14,488 6,11,780 |
| 2001
- 2002 |
1,34,37,674
9,23,187 1,36,355 5,26,975 6,63,330 |
The above Family Health Welfare campaign was
also conducted through Siddha system of Medicine
on 19.12.2001 & 20.12.2001 in 12 highly
prevalent districts in which the total No.
of STD cases treated is given below:-
No.of Male Patients : 3,280
No. of Female Patients : 8,498
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Total 11,778
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Government Hospital for Thoracic
Medicine Tambaram
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The TNSACS is providing assistance for the
provision of opportunistic infection and Siddha
drugs PEP drugs to the HIV/AIDS OP & IP
patients. For a few patients, those who are
in full flown of AIDS cases, ARV drugs are
being given for a short period. The special
diet is provided to the HIV/AIDS patients
admitted in the hospital. TANSACS is providing
funds for the maintenance of eight (8) AIDS
wards, (male 5 female 2 children 1), OP Block,
and to carry out the civil works etc.
Financial
assistance is also rendered to this institution
to provide Siddha drug treatment to HIV/AIDS
patients by appointing a Siddha Medical Officer
and Siddha Pharmacists. Besides secretarial
assistance by appointing one dietician, two
lab. technicians, one computer operator is
provided by TANSACS. Three counselors were
also provided by TANSACS for counseling of
the patients. |
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Condom
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The
condom are being issued to the CSWs through
the NGO to control the STD and HIV/AIDS because
these are Vulnerable Groups to spread the
disease. CSWs are being called for the meeting
organized by this office periodically and
they are being taught the measures to be observed
to prevent the HIV/AIDS. The Arvanigal Association
of Positive Network has been started with
the help of TNSACS to reduce the HIV/AIDS.
Condoms are available in all fair price shop
of Tamil Nadu for sale. |
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Pmtct Programme
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The broad strategy and the guiding principle
wold be to provide rationale intervention for
the prevention of Mother to Child Transmission,
care of mothers and children affected with HIV
and reducing their vulnerability. The programme
is implemented within the existing frame works
of maternal and Child Health Services.
The PMTCT programme is implemented in 38 Government
Hospitals and 6 centres of Excellence in Tamil
Nadu. The list is enclosed. These centers
are established from 8.5.2002. (Vide proc.No.11535/AIDS/A12/2002
dt.8.5.2002)
So far 56 children borne to HIV mothers have
received Nevirpine tablets thereby protected
from HIV injection. Nearly about 1.50 lakhs
Antenatal mothers negative for HIV were counseled
for sustainability and protected sex, which
is expected to reach and save the general
population from HIV infection. - Report is
enclosed. |
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AIDS Education In Schools Programme
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The AIDS Education in Schools Programme is implemented
in Tamil Nadu. Every year, about 1.5 lakhs Students
from Secondary & Higher Secondary Schools
of the age group of 14 to 18 years are covered
under this programme. |
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STD
Control Measures :
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The
STD clinics in the 57 Government hospitals in
Tamil Nadu have been upgraded by the provision
of essential equipment, lab supplies and drugs.
As on August 2002 No. of STD cases reported
from the Government Hospitals are 22,241 (Januar
to August 2002). The Community base survey of
S.T.I. Camp was conducted in 9 places. In each
camp, 100 samples were collected (Male - 50
and Female - 50). Out of 900 samples collected
on, STD prevalence was found 6.22% and HIV Positive
cases is 1.1%. In this sphere, the Government
has been focusing on strengthening the facilities
for diagnosis and treatment at the various STD
clinics with the involvement of NGOs. The counsellors
have been appointed at the STD clinics and condoms
are promoted. Treatment seeking behaviour is
on the rise due to the impact of the awareness
programmes. To cope with the increased demand
for improved services, the Government is consolidating
its efforts by outreach activities. |
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Care
and Support activities :
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A
large number of HIV/AIDS cases have been detected
and measures have been taken to provide proper
care and support to those infected. Special
care wards are created in various parts of the
State to treat opportunistic infections in an
institutional set up. The Community Care Centres
have also been initiated with the involvement
of NGOs and private sector. |
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Training
and Capacity Building :
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Medical
officers and paramedical staff in all Government
medical institutions are being trained in
the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and
other related aspects. They are also oriented
towards patient care and support. The medical
officers who care for HIV/AIDS patients were
identified and given training in the care
of HIV/AIDS cases and the syndromic management
of STDs. Far-sighted PRAMs (Physicians Responsible
for AIDS Management) initiative has ensured
that each Medical College Hospital / District
Hospital has at least one PRAM whose role
is to provide further training to doctors
and paramedical personnel. This initiative
will go a long way in addressing the need
for qualified personnel in HIV/AIDS care across
Tamil Nadu and to build the capacity of the
personnel to face future challenges. |
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Surveillance
and Reporting :
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TNSACS
has been able to cover new ground through its
Sentinel Surveillance programme in Tamil Nadu.
It has enabled TNSACS to keep track of the prevalence
levels of HIV/AIDS infection in the state since
1993. Groups with high risk behaviour and low
risk groups are monitored alike, as part of
the surveillance programme. The trend is assessed
among the groups such as STD patients, pregnant
women, drug addicts, MSM, TB patients. Voluntary
Counselling and Testing Centres are created
to extend the testing and counselling facility
to the people. |
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Advocacy
and Social Mobilization :
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It
is well known that Tamil Nadu has displayed
a high level of political commitment for HIV/AIDS
control. The involvement of all the opinion
makers has contributed a lot to sensitize
larger sections of people. TNSACS has conducted
several advocacy workshops for political leaders,
media personnel and others in various walks
of life.
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Awareness
Programmes:
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Awareness
is the key to the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.
Fear is not likely to solve any of the problems,
neither is ignorance. The electronic, print and
other media are fully exploited, optimising the
use of the resources of TNSACS. The first phase
of the IEC campaign has been a resounding success,
as independent surveys of professional agencies
have indicated. The campaign is already being
hailed as a model for the other states in the
subcontinent. The emphasis has shifted towards
interpersonal communication and behaviour change
communication to ensure positive behavioural changes.
Many
Non-Governmental organisations (NGOs) are involved
in creating awareness, and implementing intervention
programmes. TNSACS has identified several demographic
groups with risk-prone lifestyles such as CSWs,
truckers and migrant workers. It has initiated
several targeted intervention projects through
the NGOs to promote safe sex behaviour and condom
use among groups with high-risk behaviour. 338
intervention projects were implemented so far
in the state in urban and rural areas.
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