Port Blair, Apr 25: Andaman & Nicobar AIDS Control Society (ANACS) organized an Orientation and Capacity Building programme for the youth of “Red Ribbon Club” (RRC) of Govt. Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Dollygunj, Port Blair on Prevention and Control of HIV & AIDS on 25th April 2024. More than150 youth were present for the orientation programme. The programme was organized under the leadership of Dr. Subrata Saha, Project Director, A & N AIDS Control Society.
Mr. Venketesh Ch., Principal, ITI, Dollygunj graced the programme and also encouraged the youth of ITI to get indept knowledge on HIV & AIDS and participate in the RRC activities.
Dr. Jahanara Yasmeen, DD (IEC) & Mr. Kaushik Kumar Halder, AD (IEC) were the resource persons. Youth were given information on the objectives of RRC and its roles and responsibilities in prevention and control of STI, HIV & AIDS including its transmission, prevention, and treatment. Additionally, interactive sessions and discussions were conducted to address common misconceptions and dispel myths surrounding the disease and were also informed about the HIV and AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act 2017 through power point presentations and short videos.
Mr. Dharmenrda Choudary, Training officer, who is the Nodal Officer (RRC) of the institute, coordinated the whole programme. He also encouraged the students to increase the membership in the Red Ribbon Club.
The programme was an initiative for enrolling members from 1st year in the “Red Ribbon Club ” (RRC). The objective of the club is to educate youth and encourage them to learn about safe and healthy lifestyles, give access to information on HIV&AIDS, and also educate them about voluntary blood donation and safe sexual behaviors. Youth from the participants volunteer to be peer educators.
The orientation programme concluded with a pledge-taking ceremony, wherein participants vowed to spread awareness about HIV & AIDS within their communities and actively support initiatives aimed at combating the syndrome.