World Health day-2011- Hand-washing/ LWS tips -SEVAI

Trichy, 8, April: The theme of World Health Day this year was antimicrobial resistance. Mrs.C.Marc Dubois, a teacher from France while addressing in a seminar organized by SEVAI on World Health Day in Trichy  said ‘Hand washing is one of key messages of school health program in France and it is applicable all over the world, when kids come into contact with germs, they can unknowingly become infected simply by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. And once they're infected, it's usually just a matter of time before the whole family comes down with the same illness. Good hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses, from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as meningitis, bronchiolitis, and most types of infectious diarrhea’. Germs can be transmitted many ways, including: touching dirty hands, changing dirty diapers, through contaminated water and food, through droplets released during a cough or a sneeze, via contaminated surfaces, through contact with a sick person's body fluids. Washing our hands with soap (or ash) and water especially after contact with faeces; before eating or feeding kids is an important way to prevent the transmission of diseases’

Those who thronged the health centre were checked for height, weight, random blood sugar and blood pressure and Body Mass Index. Leaflets on washing hands properly and benefits of the habit were also distributed. ‘World Health Day is being observed under the supervision of World Health Organisation on April 7 every year to highlight key health issues and encourage people of all ages to lead a disease free life’ Project Director of SEVAI, Dr.Nazrine of SEVAI spoke to the participants of the world Health Day-2011 and added that World Health Day provides a unique opportunity to all the people across the village to come together and promote actions that can improve our health collectively. Dr.K.Govindaraju, Founder/DG of SEVAI delivered the key note address and said that the world health day is observed to create awareness to public for leading a happy physical and mental health for the individual and also for the community as whole. With the objective to address the increasing problem of HIV/AIDS among the vulnerable and High Risk population living in the rural areas of Tamilnadu, SEVAI implements the Link Workers Scheme (LWS) in Trichy district of Tamilnadu with the support through APAC from National Aids Control Organization (NACO)/Tamilnadu State Aids Control Society (TANSACS). The scheme is unique both in concept and design as well as is the only government scheme that checks the incidence of HIV prevalence in rural pockets of the country. “So far, the HIV/AIDS programmes were focused on the urban population whereas the source of pandemic was found to be rural.

Mrs.Percy, the District coordinator of Link Workers scheme said that The Link Worker Scheme, addresses the need of knowledge, and access to services through a cadre of trained community volunteers in Trichy district known as the Link workers”, said Dr.K.Govindaraju. . The major activities undertaken so far under LWS have been completion of High Risk Group (HRG) identification in 100 villages across Trichy district with support from CMS, recruitment and training of Link workers as well as completion of social mapping of the villages. Establishment of village Information Centres, formation of Red Ribbon Clubs, identification of youth volunteers and establishment of condom outlets are some ongoing initiatives of SEVAI in Trichy district. SEVAI has been inspired by the empowering government scheme that penetrates into the vulnerable rural population and acknowledges the invaluable support of APAC/TANSAC and NACO in working together to create awareness and make services available and acceptable to control the overgrowing evil of HIV/AIDS. SEVAI equips children with THE health skills and resources they need during their childhood, enabling them to take control of their lives and to command their future. We promote societies whose individuals and institutions participate in valuing, protecting and advancing the worth and health rights of children. With the objective of empowering children and youth to participate in their self as well as community and Health development process, SEVAI organized an interface meeting of the children have a dialogue with the government authorities. Coverage of HRG (as per Mapping), Coverage of Vulnerable Population, Coverage of PLHIV, ICTC Referral to HRG, ICTC Testing to HRG, Condom Depots, Red Ribbon Clubs, Village Information Centres and training Peer Volunteers are the key activities of the Link workers scheme implemented in Trichy. Dr.Raviraj Williams, Mr.Benjamine, Mrs.Santhiya, Mr.Santhya, Mr.Vendan of Tansac and several other experts enlightened the participants of the systematic approach in narrowing the new HIV prevalence in the District.  

It was decided to impart training to volunteers in the village level on positive health and awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention and also for rehabilitation of PLHIVS.Earlier Dr.Nazrin welcomed the gathering, Dr.Deivakumar proposed vote of thanks.-Govin