In a bid to promote awareness programmes on HIV and AIDS among youths and adolescents, a sensitisation training programme on Red Ribbon Club was organised by the Youth wing of the State Red Cross Society here on Friday. Several youth Red Cross Counsellors from various districts took part in the training programme.
State Youth Red Cross secretary Dr Mangala Prasad Mohanty inaugurated the event and said that the youth counsellors plays a vital role in implementation of the Red Ribbon Club programmes in colleges, as they can intensify the spirit of volunteerism among the youths to control and prevent HIV by spreading awareness and promoting safe behavioral practice. He stressed that HIV can be prevented through awareness, education and factual information.
State AIDS Control Society Joint Director (IEC) Dr Tripati Mishra presided over the meeting and delivered a presentation on the basics of HIV/AIDS, situation of adolescents in the context of HIV/AIDS in India and adolescent vulnerability with a statistical report on the spread of AIDS.
Among others, former Youth Red Cross officer Dr Sarita Supkar and consultant at the Voluntary Blood Donation of the Odisha State AIDS Control Society Pradeep Kumar Tripathy spoke on the occasion. later, Dr Mishra distributed certificates to the participants.