The State is a medium prevalence state with concentrative type of HIV epidemic. Providing Information Education and Communication (IEC) to the masses, mainstreaming and Behavior Change Communication (BCC), to the vulnerable population are the key approaches in the state. For creating awareness about prevention and control of HIV/AIDS through various IEC activities are organized in Gujarat viz. displaying messages through Media.
Mainstreaming and Youth
No man is an island, the old line goes. In the public arena, there is an analogue: no cause, no mission can exist in isolation. Without its acceptance by society, without a variety of institutional and individual stakeholders taking ownership of it, no health issue can be truly challenged or mainstreamed.The Indian experience of HIV/AIDS is telling in this respect. Substantial progress has been made in prizing open the silent spaces, encouraging conversation about the virus and its implications. Yet, to understand mainstreaming one has to be clear of what it entails. Simply put, mainstreaming is recognition of the reality that HIV/AIDS is not just a medical or public health issue, to be left to doctors and scientists. It is a process that has an impact on and, therefore, necessitates response from all sectors, whether now or in the future. It has, both internal and external implications for each sector. Gujarat is implementing various projects/programmes in coordination with different Government and Privet departments.
Mainstreaming with Education Department
Following Youth Intervention programmes are being implemented in coordination with Education Department.
Red Ribbon Club Programme
Red Ribbon Clubs(RRCs) are envisaged to instill among all the students in the educational institutions values of service, develop healthy life styles, and increase access to safe and adequate quantities of blood to all the needy by promotion of Regular voluntary blood donation.Through this programme important Health issues like drug addiction, reproductive & sexual health including RTI/STI and HIV/AIDS, voluntary blood donation promotion are being covered.This program is being implemented in the colleges of Universities of Gujarat in coordination with the Higher Education Department.
Health Education and Lifeskill Programme (HELP)
Health Education and Lifeskill Programme (HELP) has been sanctioned with the ultimate aim of wholesome development of the adolescent keeping health at the core through increasing the capacity of the adolescent so that they can control their health by State Coordination Committee (SCC) chaired by Principal Secretary (Education), GoG. This programme is to be implemented in the schools of 33 districts. ‘Gujarat Council of Educational Research and Training’ (GCERT) is the Nodal Agency for this programme. A comprehensive module for HELP has been already is under updation for teachers. Every year teachers training programme are to be organized.
Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GIPA)
GIPA means greater and meaningful involvement of community nominated representative at SACS, and NACO. GIPA is working for build up capacity of networks to maintain standardized systems and procedures for governance, programme management and implementation. GIPA also work for strengthening quality of communication at all levels of NACO, SACS and Networks. GIPA ensuring provision for providing comprehensive care support and treatment for PLHIVs. Easy accessibility, affordability and availability of care and treatment services.