The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Corporates make a ‘positive’ gesture

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Saturday, Nov 17, 2007
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Corporates make a ‘positive’ gesture

Staff Reporter

To help set up ART centre at Koraput

One centre being run at MKCG Hospital
Tribals more vulnerable to HIV

BHUBANESWAR: Orissa may soon get the first anti antiretroviral therapy (ART) centre sponsored by the corporate sector for treatment of persons living with HIV and AIDS at Koraput.

Addressing a press conference after a one-day workshop on ‘Mainstreaming HIV with the Corporate Sector in Orissa’, Dr. Rammnik Ahuja, Consultant Health and Programme Manager of CII, said the industry body would facilitate the ART Centre at Koraput.

At present, the State has one ART Centre being run at MKCG Hospital at Berhampur. Another two such centres would come into operation at SCB Medical College Hospital at Cuttack and VSS Medical College Hospital at Burla.

“Only two ART centres, in active cooperation of the CII, are being run in the country. We will help set up another 10 ART Centres in next couple of years,” Dr. Ahuja said.

It was not that the CII would focus only on high prevalent States, wherever there was requirement, the corporate sector would come forward to play its part, he said. The workshop was organised by Orissa State AIDS Control Society (OSACS) in partnership with the CII, the Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust and other non-government organisations.

Speaking on the occasion, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Chinmaya Basu called upon the industries to get involved in awareness and prevention programme for HIV and AIDS through their corporate social responsibilities.

Tribal people were more vulnerable to HIV as mining industry was booming in tribal pockets resulting in influx of large external workforce, he said. OSACS Director urged the corporate sector not to sideline any employee who would test positive. Nearly 90 per cent of HIV infections in Orissa was reported from the 15-49 age group.

At least seven districts such as Ganjam, Angul, Bolangir, Bhadrak, Balasore, Koraput and Khurda needed immediate intervention coming under A and B Category classified by National AIDS Control Organisation.

Among others, Orissa’s Development Commissioner R.N. Bohidar participated in the workshop.

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