Red Ribbon Express at Kozhikode (Calicut)

DAPCU Kozhikode shares a few experiences regarding the RRE in their district.

District Level Organizing Committee Meeting: For the effective planning of the RRE program a District level organizing committee was formed with delegates from various departments and chaired by the District Collector Mr. K.V Mohan Kumar IAS. 

Select IEC activities

• Press conference: was conducted at Dist. Collector’s chamber and press release was given to media. On All India Radio aired RRE related content  on the news.
• On both days public announcements were made by the railway authorities inside the station. 
• The special canvassing activities were led by SACS, DAPCU and DMO Mass Media, at various institutions in Kozhikode city with the help of a hired vehicle.
• Ten wooden framed flex board and four flex banner were placed in the main spots in Kozhikode corporation area mainly : Bus stand, Railway Station entrance, beach, Palayam Bus stand, in front of General hospital and W&C Hospital. Notices were also put up in deferent places in Kozhikode city. 
• Rally: The artists and volunteers of MCF NGO conducted a rally   “Vilambara Jadha” at Kozhikode town on 24 April 2012 to announce the commencement of the RRE train.

RRE at Kozhikode

The RRE reached in second platform at Kozhikode Railway Station on 26^th morning.                    Dr. M K Appunni (ADMO, Dist. Nodal officer HIV/AIDS) welcomed all to the programme.  The Honorable Minister Dr. MK Muneer inaugurated the campaign with the chairmanship of Mr. K V Mohan Kumar IAS, Dist. Collector. The Standing committee Chairman (Health) Mrs. Janamma Kunhunni presented the key note. Dr. A Baburaj (DPM NRHM), Dr. Muhammad Elias Kunhavootty (Supdt. W&C Hospital Kozhikode), Mr. Muhammad Basheer (Station Manager Indian Railway Kozhikode) Mr. Jaison (AD-TI KSACS) facilitated the programme. Mr. Mani (Dy. Mass Media officer (Health)) delivered vote of thanks.

The dignitaries also visited the exhibition, training and counseling coaches. After this the public started utilizing the RRE. During the two days programme the district team with the help of KSACS and NACO –RRE officers could mobilize the public, the data as follows,

• Total visitors 15796
• Counseling and Testing – 347
• STI treatment- 69
• Trained- 505

Bus Caravan

Two bus caravans traveled to rural areas of Kozhikode district to disseminate awareness to areas where the train could not reach. Total 16 programmes conducted in the district the total viewers of the programme were 8765.

Mobile Blood Unit

Related with the RRE program a mobile blood unit vehicle was stationed near the platform No.1, which aimed to promote the voluntary blood donation and 77 units of blood were collected over the two days.

The facilities - Blood bank, STI, TI and RNTCP placed their kiosk at the platform to disseminate awareness through leaflets, brochures etc. During the two days food and water supplied to all RRE volunteers, Health staffs, NCC and KSACS staffs by DMO and one time food was sponsored by Kozhikode Corporation.

District NRHM, NCC, NYK, TI, ICTC, STI, ART, and DIC etc supported the programme by mobilizing visitors, arranging volunteers and logistics etc. THE DAPCU was fully involved in planning and implementation of the RRE. Kozhikode ICTC Supervisor was serving as in charge of the training coach and counseling coach of the RRE Phase III, for the Kerala state.

The total visitors and viewers of the RRE Campaign at Kozhikode were 24561. This figure indicates that the efforts under Dist. Collector and KSACS through the District Medical office-Mass Media, DAPCU, special involvements by ADMOs- Nodal Officer HIV/AIDS, NRHM and all other line departments were helpful to make the programme a success.