Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 07 November 2024
The Andaman & Nicobar AIDS Control Society (ANACS) recently organized an Orientation and Capacity Building programme for the youth of the Red Ribbon Club (RRC) of Andaman College (ANCOL), focusing on the prevention and control of HIV and AIDS. The event, which saw the participation of over 70 students, aimed to raise awareness about the disease and its prevention.
The orientation programme was held under the guidance of Dr. Subrata Saha, Project Director of ANACS, and Dr. Jochibed Vincent, Assistant Professor and Nodal Officer of RRC at ANCOL. Resource persons Mr. Kaushik Kumar Halder, Assistant Director (IEC), and Mr. Santosh Baghel, Assistant Director (Documentation), provided students with vital information on the roles and responsibilities of the Red Ribbon Club. The session included key insights into the transmission, prevention, and treatment of HIV/AIDS, while also addressing common misconceptions through interactive discussions and a PowerPoint presentation.
ANACS, in coordination with the Blood Center at G.B. Pant Hospital and the Directorate of Health Services, supported the Red Ribbon Club in organizing a Blood Donation Camp at ANCOL on November 6, 2024. The camp successfully collected 36 units of blood, donated by enthusiastic students from the club.
Dr. Shilpa Vijay Sankhe, Medical Officer at the Blood Bank of ANIIMS, and the technical team from the Blood Center, G.B. Pant Hospital, ensured that the blood donations were carefully screened for transfusion transmissible diseases. They also conducted eligibility checks for the donors, who were briefed on the importance and benefits of blood donation.
This initiative was an important step in promoting public health awareness and contributing to vital health services in the community.