The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : AIDS: Kiosks to counsel employees

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Saturday, May 09, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

AIDS: Kiosks to counsel employees

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: To provide information about HIV/AIDS and counsel employees, 50 information kiosks will be set up near Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) dispensaries and five industries in the city.

Counsellors from Sankalp, a project launched by Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT), in collaboration with ESI Corporation, will manage the kiosks and carry out social marketing. They will sell condoms at subsidised rates and create awareness among people, Project Director S.J. Chander said.

State Medical Commissioner of ESI Corporation B.R. Kavi Shetty, who inaugurated the kiosks, said the project was aimed at strengthening ESI Corporation’s intervention under HIV/AIDS Prevention and Family Welfare.

Listing the ESI benefits, Dr. Shetty said the corporation would compensate the salaries of laid-off employees and provide medical benefits to family members of the employees too.

He pointed out that not many were aware of these benefits. Mr. Chander said the project was conceived after noticing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among ESI card holders.

“When the card holders visited ESI hospitals and dispensaries for other medical services, they were found to be positive. This made us start this project so that these people can be linked to care and support groups and given treatment,” he added.

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Karnataka