Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 5: The Director of Health Services, DHS, A & N Administration, Dr. Suja Antony, flagged off the Mobile Information, Education & Communication (IEC) Van for awareness and Mobile Integrated Counselling & Testing Center (ICTC) Van for Delivery of Outreach Services of Andaman & Nicobar AIDS Control Society (ANACS) today in front of the National Memorial Cellular Jail. The program was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Subrata Saha, Project Director, ANACS.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director of Health Services, said, the Mobile IEC van is to promote positive behaviors and change in individuals and community through awareness audio message on HIV, STI and AIDS. It will give information on the available services for the prevention, control and treatment of HIV and STI in A & N Islands. Mobile ICTC Van will be providing counselling and screening services for HIV. People who are reluctant to come to Hospitals to get tested, can avail this opportunity to get the counselling and testing services at their door step.
Dr. Subrata Saha, Project Director, ANACS stated that as there is no treatment or vaccine till date that can completely cure HIV and therefore IEC programs are the pillars for the prevention. However, by taking Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) as soon as possible can delay the progress of HIV to AIDS, but for this, it is very important to know your HIV Status. Mobile ICTC Van will be providing the counselling and screening services and people can use this service to know their status.
The IEC van will cover areas of N & M Andaman for 13 days and South Andaman for 27 days. Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep and Hut Bay will also be covered in South Andaman District. IEC van will also be hired in Nicobar District for awareness.
Along with the IEC Van, Folk performances by the selected troupes will perform at strategic locations, which is one of the best ways to create awareness especially for the rural population. Folk performances will include dance, song and drama with message on HIV, STI & AIDS. Dance Nritya Academy (DNA), Balkrishna Nritya Academy, Raag and Kasheesh will be performing during this program. These troupes will be performing in N & M Andaman, South Andaman, Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep and Hut Bay.
The Outreach Service Van will cover areas of South Andaman for 9 days and N & M Andaman for 12 days. If required, this will be repeated every month. Messages are displayed on both the van and is also carrying IEC material which will be distributed during the program.