NT KURIOCITY

National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) through the State AIDS Control Society (SACS) has launched an awareness campaign of 25 government schools ie class 9 and 11 students and student members from 25 Red Ribbon Clubs (RRC) constituted in colleges on HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and blood donation (BD), launched virtually on International Youth Day by the Secretary (Health), Government of India from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage Goan youth to inculcate safe behavioural practices and reduce the menace of stigma and discrimination related to HIV and comorbidities; to disseminate information regarding HIV/TB prevention and services; to develop an understanding about the infection to reduce stigma and discrimination against People Living with HIV/AIDS and TB and to encourage blood donation within youth.

Numerous online activities have been planned in Campaign Phase 1. At the school level a poster making competition on HIV, TB and BD will be conducted. The best poster will be sent to Goa SACS for further selection and then forwarded to NACO for National selection. At the higher secondary and college level a half-day capacity building programme was organised for nodal teachers and two student peer educators.

Goa has 163 active Red Ribbon Clubs. Activities like All Goa District Quiz Competition and Street Play Competition were planned in phase 1 at the college level. College students are encouraged to coordinate with AD (VBD) to organise blood donation camps. A reels competition is being conducted for Goan youth on Goa SACS’ Instagram handle.