Title - Red Ribbon Express arrives in city today Will be open to public from 9 am to 6pm till December 14

Chandigarh:The Red Ribbon Express, which has been launched with the aim of creating awareness against AIDS, will arrive in the city at 7.30 am on Wednesday. The train, which has a special coach housing facilities for free-of-cost HIV test and counselling, will be stationed at the local railway station for three days. The visiting hours for residents will be 9 am to 6 pm.Figures reveal that the number of persons voluntarily walking into the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) has increased both among the general population and the High Risk Groups (HRGs). The New Case Detection Rate among these persons has declined from 7.1 per cent in 2008 to 2.19 per cent this year.A total of 17,405 cases were tested in 2008 and 1,239 were found positive. Of 34,581 cases tested this year till October, 758 have been found positive. The prevalence of HIV as measured by the detection of virus in a pregnant woman also shows a decline from 0.25 per cent to 0.23 per cent.Mohammed Shayin, Deputy Commissioner, said the Red Ribbon Express had four exhibition coaches with exhibits on HIV and AIDS and the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). The NRHM exhibits are on tuberculosis, malaria, reproductive and child health services, general health and hygiene. There is one coach for conducting training of the local stakeholders.

The train also has a coach equipped with the facilities of an auditorium to provide training to batches of 60 trainees each. It has been planned to have at least four training batches everyday from December 12 to 14.

In the special health centre coach, four specialists of sexually transmitted infections/reproductive tract infections will provide treatment free of cost. Also, free counselling and test services for HIV will be available throughout the three days.

Dr Vanita Gupta, Project Director, Chandigarh, SACS, said a minimum of 5,000 people were expected to visit the train everyday. Free pick up has also been arranged for people living in various colonies. 

Newly recruited cops to be sensitised

A batch of newly recruited police officials will be sensitised on AIDS spread during the three-day tour of the Red Ribbon Express in the city.