RRC INNOVATIVE YOUTH HEALTH COUNSELLING CELL-By DAPCU Dakshina Kannada-

         In Dakshina Kannada district Red Ribbon Clubs (RRC) Established under NSS units of 64 colleges. Out of which 32 are Pre university colleges and 32 are Degree colleges.  In our district there is active involvement of  RRC members in HIV awareness programmes at different levels. There are many innovative activities by these clubs not only  within the college campus but  also in the field like pamphlet distribution for  the vulnerable groups like auto  and Taxi drivers, and construction workers etc.

       One such innovative programme is Youth Health Counselling Cell (YHCC) In college campus.  During awareness talks for student community , most of the students  never ask some very personal questions in front of others because of shyness. But when  they made to write such questions, many of them ask many serious doubts which need to be answered. So YHCC  gives platform to such doubts by one to one counselling methods.

      It was so planned that a male counsellor will attend only boys and a female counsellor attend girls for this one to one counselling. A day selected by the college officials and DAPCO will be intimated about this,   inturn DAPCO deputes counsellor  to this college .  Also a  Psychiatrist  and a Psycho social worker from the department of Psychiatry  from a medical college  made to join their hands for this purpose. Information   about   this counselling  will be given to  students by RRC members prior  to the programme.  Initially it was planned to have such counselling day twice or thrice in a year in coordination with the RRC of that college.

Besant Women’s college of Mangalore was the first college to hold such programme in their institution . Mr. U. T. Khader  hon. Health & Family welfare minister of Karnataka launched this programme in this college on 3rd February 2014. He appreciated the activity and wanted to  similar programmes in all the colleges during the next academic years. He told  many youth are careless about  their health due to lack of knowledge hence indulge in many high risk activities and substance abuse.  He told YHCC is one such platform to address these issues and thus prevent not only HIV/AIDS but many other illness. 

On this occasion exhibition on hiv/aids also organized. 

In our district  such one to counselling sessions conducted already at 4 colleges. The response from the students was very good.   Medical related issues also linked up with the concerned doctors.  

Response of Dakshina Kannada district, Mangalore on World AIDS Day 2013

 

World AIDS Day - 2013

Observed by Dakshin Kannada District, Mangalore, Karnataka

 

       World AIDS Day 2013 was observed in Dakshina Kannada district, Mangalore on 01-12-2013 at Sri Ramakrishna College Mangalore. This programme was jointly organized by District AIDS prevention control unit (DAPCU), all the Red ribbon clubs (RRC) of Mangalore city limit colleges and NGOs.

     

             An awareness jatha about HIV /AIDS was held where more than 500 students from various colleges participated. This jatha was inaugurated by Dr. Ramakrishna Rao, District Health Officer. The jatha started from Balmatta circle to Ramakrishna College.

   

          The stage programme was inaugurated by Mr. U.T. Khader   hon. Health and Family welfare minister of Karnataka by lighting the lamps. He also launched the a month long folk awareness campaign on this occasion.

          An informative session on Youth and HIV and Psycho social aspects was taken by Dr.P. S. Bhat,  a famous psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatry , K S Hegde Medical College. He answered many doubts and questions raised by students.

               A skit played by the RRC college members about the  youth’s role in preventing the HIV spread.  A folk show (jade kolata) was  played by the folk team from Karwar. College principal, NSS university coordinator, District medical officer are the other dignitaries present on the dias. 

     

            In the afternoon in association with Rotary club of Mangalore, a quiz competition was held for the public at Big Bazar Bharat Mall. Twenty five questions were asked about the basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS for the customers of Big Bazar and attractive gifts were distributed for the correct answers.

Dakshin Kannada Response - Coordination Among DAPCU

Need for DAPCU Coordination?
There is a need for DAPCUs to work in co-ordination with each other not only within the district, but also inter-state DAPCU co-ordination very much needed.

DAPCUs can support each other and co-ordinate in many issues like,
•    Follow up of LFU and MIS Pre ART or on ART cases.
•    Transferring out and following up any Positive ANC’s from    outside district.
•    Sharing best practices.
•    Kit Shortage and reallocation issues.
•    Conducting border district meetings to review and solve many issues like CD4 follow-up, treatment adherence etc.
Role of SACS:
SACS usually gives directions and suggestions to DAPCUs to enhance the co-ordination.
Coordinating Activities with the neighboring DAPCUs
Dakshina Kannada(Mangalore) district has done many activities in Co-ordination with neighboring district DAPCUs.
1.    An awareness talk on Radio was mainly motivated by Kodagu DAPCU team and also some suggestion taken about how to approach the All Indio Radio People.
2.    DAPCU Mangalore stores and distributes HIV test Kits to DAPCU Udupi and DAPCU Hassan through the vehicle from Mangalore.
3.    Every month we receive information from DAPCU Udupi about HIV Positive cases native of Mangalore and we also send information about HIV Positive cases from Udupi through E-mail.
4.    Any urgent or important issues will be always discussed with DAPCU officer over the phone like reporting issues etc.
5.     We have also taken the help of DAPCU Officer and District Supervisor of the other district as resource person while coordinating much training.
6.     Many good practices shared   mutually to improvise the performance of the district like preparing formats to get some information from PHC and CHCs about trimester wise ANC testing’s, STI/RTI reporting and private hospital testing etc.

DAPCU Dakshina Kannada Response to Role of DAPCUs to Support TI

aIn Dakshina Kannada (Mangalore) District the following strategies used to improve the TI programme:

Coverage of HRG Registration: Some missed cases for registration at Urban TIs is followed up in coordination with LWS at rural villages as there is a possibility of rural HRGs will be working in urban areas.

Improving ICTC Services: We provide our mobile ICTC services to HRG community especially to MSMs.  We made an arrangement to give ICTC services in the evening hours (4pm to 7pm) to MSM TI by our mobile unit. There will be some camps arranged by migrant TI at construction sites where our ICTC counsellors will go and give services. All the ICTC services were checked by counter verifying the referral slips.

Pre ART Registration and CD4 Counting of Positive HRGs: When an HRG detected as positive immediately they will be sent to ART centre in coordination with TI people. But there are some challenges in follow-ups later on especially   MSMs. For this we have taken help from CBOs.

Improving STI Services: STI camps conducted involving the local Medical colleges at TI areas and preferred providers services also utilized.

Condom Distribution: Whenever there was shortage in condoms local arrangements done by DAPCU by giving from ICTCs or PHCs. Also condoms are put to outlet boxes   by PHC ANMs in some of the TI sites.

Accessing District Administration for Social Schemes: In our district children of 2 HRGs (FSW) were given free industrial training course and one among them given a job placement. A meeting under the chairmanship of CEO ZP was conducted to provide some social benefit schemes to sex workers in the district. We have already submitted the list of FSWs requiring house sites.

Every month during the monthly DAPCU Review meeting all the TI issues were addressed and there will be a quarterly meeting to monitor all coordination activities by NGOs including TIs.

“SURAKSHA JEEVANA AANDOLANA” Campaign by Dakshin Kannada/Mangalore DAPCU

We (Dakshin Kannada/Mangalore DAPCU) have been involved in the planning of district level sustained campaign on HIV. As a part of this process we studied the programme data and decided to focus on two taluks i.e. Mangalore and Bantwal for STI Service Uptake and ICTC demand Generation. Mangalore and Bantwal have an industries and port belt that attracts migrants from not just across the state , but also the country. The campaign plans to reach migrants as well as residents in select identified villages.

Pre-launch:As a part of planning process we had a consultation meeting with the DC, CEO and other department heads and they have whole heartedly supported this campaign. Pre-launch   publicity was done by printing pamphlets about campaign and distributing it to the households   by local ANMs, ASHAs,Anganwadi workers, Link workers and NGOs . Publicity was also given during the folk programme one week prior to the campaign. A press release about the campaign was given in the local newspapers.

Launch: Finally, the “SURAKSHA  JEEVANA  AANDOLANA” (safe life campaign)  was launched under the Dakshina Kannada District Administration, District Health and Family Welfare Department, District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) with guidance from NACO and SACS. The launch took place at Primary health centre Surathkal ,Mangalore taluk

 

• Participants of the launch were also provided STI check ups and HIV testing services
• Sessions for adolescents took place at the ARSH clinic and later in a nearby school.
• Nursing college students helped in distributing pamphlets at Surathkal market, Auto and tempo stand at Surathkal. More than 100 shops were visited by the students and they gave given information about the campaign and its intention.

A few salient features:

1. A unique feature of our campaign is that the resources for the campaign have been generated within the district.
2. Medical colleges have been mobilised and their team will be deputed for support at the PHC level.
3. STI and HIV testing services at the PHCs are being publicised.
4. Industries have sanctioned inclusion of HIV in the training of their workers.
5. Discussions are in progress with the port and industries to establish PPP ICTCs

We will update you through this blog on the progress of the campaign in the next two months.

Dakshin Kannada DAPCU's Response - June 2012 Theme - Social Benefit Schemes for PLHIV and HRG

List of Schemes being provided to PLHIV and HRG

1. Yashaswini scheme: This scheme is for farmers , but is extended to HIV positive pregnant mothers .Under this scheme every HIV positive pregnant lady irrespective of BPL/APL  status claims Rs. 3200/- for normal delivery and Rs.8000/-for Caesarean section at private Yashaswini network hospitals.
2. Vishesha   Palana  Yojane (OVC scheme) : Under this scheme both infected and affected children get Rs. 800/- maximum per month for different components like nutritious food, dress, travel, treatment for minor illness etc.
3. Anna Antyodaya yojana for BPL PLHIV families
4. Rajivgandhi Vasathi Yojana and Basava Vasathi Yojana(housing schemes)
5. Vajapeyi Nagara Vasathi Yojana(housing schemes)
6. Self employment loan schemes for PLHAs.
7. Free training programmes at technical institutes.

The Process

During the DAPCC meetings DC and CEO gives instructions to other department officers to provide some benefit schemes available  to  PLHAs and also to give preferences to PLHAs in any other Govt. benefit schemes and DAPCU to coordinate. Dapcu officer then arranges a meeting with  DIC,DLN and other NGOs and also department officials to give information  about the available schemes  with them. Then the information is passed on to the PLHAs and HRGs and applications will be sent to respective department offices. Dapcu then follow it up with the offices.

Role of facilities

DIC, DLN representatives guide the PLHA  how to apply  for the schemes and also help them to obtain necessary documents like  ration cards, income certificates, residence certificates etc. ICTC,ART, LART staffs will be sensitised about the available social benefit schemes and they provide this information to the PLHIVs during their visit. In ART centre  a document  is maintained  about this process and  it will be communicated to DAPCU regularly.

Challenges

Many PLHAs are not having the required documents like ration card, income certificates etc which will cause delay in processing the applications.HRG   communities not coming  forward to avail the benefit schemes due to the stigma of their status.

Achievements in Dakshina Kannada District
Sr.No	Schemes	Applied	Benefited
1	OVC	297	297
2	Housing	2(PLHA)	2
3	Housing(Urban)	7(PLHA)                  2(HRG)	1                                         1
4	Self employment (Loan)	12	6
5	Free Industrial training programme	1(son of HRG) 6(HRG)	1(Got placement as electrician) 6
6	Yashaswini(ANC delivery) 2011-12	31(Positive ANC)	24

Dakshin Kannada (Mangalore) DAPCU's Response to May 2012 Theme - DAPCC Achievements

The main advantages of DAPCC meetings                                                                                                           

DAPCC Meetinf

• This creates a single  platform  for discussion of HIV related issues with other stakeholder department 
• It provides strengthening of processes of  support and benefit schemes to PLHAs in other departments 
• Awareness about the services and facilities to other stakeholders helps in coordinating the programmes conducted by DAPCU.
• Certain   administrative issues at some institutions which takes longer time to get solved can be speeded up with the directions of DC or CEO

DAPCC in Dakshina Kannada district is conducting regular meetings under the chairmanship of DC and ZP CEO. Many issues solved under DAPCC like

CEO Distributing Loans

• Social benefit schemes for PLHAs and FSWs was processed and 6 PLHAs received self employment loans from Backward and Minority Corporation.
• Housing schemes applications from some PLHAs received   and is under process by taluk       panchayath officials.
• There was an issue of doctors not following NACO   guidelines of breast feeding by positive mothers. This issue was brought to the notice of DC at DAPCC and DC instructed the Administrative Officer to resolve this concern. A  meeting   was called and for sensitization for all the doctors and to discuss the issue. 
• Labour department in coordination with DAPCU organized HIV/AIDS awareness camps for workers at some industries in the year 2010-11                                                                                                                            

• Legal department   along with lawyers bar association organized a sensitization programme for lawyers in coordination with DAPCU and one positive person nominated as the honorary   member of the association to solve any legal issues of PLHAs    

How we used – DAPCU Series – Experiences from DAPCU Dakshin Kannada (Mangalore) – As shared by Dr Kishore DACO

We were happy to read DAPCU SERIES IX in which an effort of our peer (DAPCU Kodagu) work was covered. The series told us about their active involvement in conducting awareness programme in local AIR station and also gave some suggestions on what kind of spaces are available on the AIR.  We DAPCU Mangalore team too thought of exploring this opportunity with AIR Mangalore station. For the last 2 years DAPCU Mangalore team has been part of programmes

on local FM channels on December 1^st World Aids Day, but we had never tried a programme on AIR. After reading the series and reflecting we realised that AIR radio is still one of the main news media in rural villages we should use it Mangalore too! We met DAPCU Kodagu during the State Review Meeting for DAPCUs and spoke in detail to their team on how they got space on AIR, different formats of programmes they have tried etc. 


After the meeting we have approached Mrs Rohini, District Information and Broadcasting Officer and she directed us to meet Mr.Ashok, the programme officer of Mangalore AIR station who is in charge of broadcasting awareness programmes. The very next day the programme was recorded as an interview where the DAPCU Officer answered for the questions asked by the interviewer. The questions were related to HIV/AIDS and youth   as well as services available in the district like ICTC/ART/ CCC/DLN etc.  We had detailed discussion on why youth are more vulnerable to HIV, how they should be careful, and we also spoke of RRC activities in colleges. During the programme, I gave my mobile number and DAPCU office landline number for any further questions the audience may have.

The programme was broadcasted on the very next day on 9^th March at 8pm in youth programme slot (Yuv Vani) and we started receiving calls while the programme was on air. We were surprised that youth from far of regions were calling with queries. Over the week after the programme we received over 15 calls! Some of the youth clarified their doubts on HIV and availability of services. It was interesting to note that though some youth had heard about Red Ribbon Clubs they thought it was only for positive people. We need to work on this misunderstanding.

We are now in the process of discussing the future programmes and the AIR Director has promised to provide slots for one week during World Aids Day campaign. He is also interested in giving a voice to the PLHIV community through the programmes. We have also decided on holding a programme regarding RRCs after the summer vacation (in June) so that misconceptions regarding it can be cleared and youth can be actively involved.

All of this was possible, because we paid attention to the achievement of another 
DAPCU’s efforts covered in the DAPCU series. Truly an exchange of ideas can open many doors for us! 

Dakshin Kannada DAPCU's Response to- Familiarizing new District Collectors to the HIV programme in the district

View more presentations from DAPCUSPEAK

Yes! We have faced this situation. In the last 4years, 3 DCs took charge of our district. Usually every month we have NRHM  review meeting where all health programmes including HIV/AIDS programme will be reviwed by DC. Hence in this meeting when new DC joins we introduce about our programmes and its functioning in the district.  During the DAPCC meeting we make a power point presentation of district profile in which the following components will be included in brief and the same thing will be informed to him in detail

1. Services available in the district under DAPCU
2. Service objectives and existing centres
3. IEC activities in the district
4. HIV counselling and testing  statistics from last 3-4 years(yearwise) in general and ANC clients and present  prevalence in the district
5. Graphical presentation of the programme indicators
6. He is also informed about the NRHM and NACP convergence strategies adapted in the district.