At the Kerala State Legislative Assembly

The Honourable Speaker of the Kerala State Legislative Assembly, Mr. K. Radhakrishnan joined the 2008 World AIDS Day programs in Kerala, organized by the Kerala Sate AIDS Control Society (KSACS), when he was worn the Red Ribbon, the universal symbol of HIV / AIDS by the Minister for Health, Ms. Sreemathi Teacher. The function was held at 8.15 a.m. in the chamber of the honourable speaker. Others present were Minister for Water Resources, Mr. N. K. Premachandran, Minister for Law, Mr. K. Vijayakumar, Minister for Revenue, Mr. K. P. Rajendran, members of the Legislative Assembly and Dr. Usha Titus IAS, Project Director, KSACS.

Press meeting at Legislative Assembly

Addressing the press in the media room of the Legislative Assembly complex in the backdrop of 2008 World AIDS Day observation, the Minister for Health, Ms. Sreemathi Teacher announced the Government's decision to constitute a State Council for HIV / AIDS based on the norms of the Union Government. The chief minister will be its chairman with ministers as members. The council will act as a catalyst for the effective implementation of HIV / AIDS related programs in Kerala through timely appraisals. The whole-hearted cooperation of people's representatives and political parties in the State is expected to transform the HIV / AIDS prevention programs and voluntary blood donation a successful one, by reaching the grassroots, the minister said. The youth wings of political parties stand to play a key role. An action plan will be formed to boost the HIV / AIDS related programs in Kerala, the minister added.

Further, the minister said that government will soon start 'Jyothis' centres in six more districts in Kerala, where counseling services and test for HIV / AIDS will be done free of cost. A sub-centre of 'Ushus' will soon start functioning in the District Hospitals, Palakkad, she informed the media

Voluntary blood donation at Y.M.C.A.

As part of the World AIDS Day observation 2008, a voluntary blood donation camp organized by the Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS) got underway at the Y.M.C.A. hall in Thiruvananthapuram. The camp started at 9.00 a.m. was inaugurated by Dr. Usha Titus IAS, Project Director, KSACS. Additional Project Director, KSACS, Dr. T. V. Velayudhan, Head P.S.U., KSACS, Dr. Prasanna Kumar, Manager, HLFPPT Mr. Baby Prabhakar and Ms. Anitha Sankar, NSS Coordinator were present during the inaugural function.

World AIDS Day at Raj Bhavan

The Kerala Raj Bhavan also became one of the high profile venues of the World AIDS Day 2008 programs organized by the Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS). At 11.30 a.m. at a simple function held in the Raj Bhavan, the Kerala Governor His Excellency R. S. Gavai wore the universal sign of HIV / AIDS – the Red Ribbon presented to him by the Minister for Health, Ms. Sreemathi Teacher. Present during the occasion were Dr. Usha Titus IAS, Project Director, KSACS, Director of Medical Education, Dr. Gita V. and other officials of KSACS that included Additional Project Director, Dr. T. V. Velayudhan, Deputy Director, Surveillance, Dr. Pyari, Head P.S.U., Dr. Prasanna Kumar and Dr. Rita Cross (Care and Support).

Award Winners - World AIDS Day 2008

Best 'Jyothis' centres

1. ICTC Microbiology dept., Medical College Hospital, Thrissur
2. ICTC Microbiology dept., Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode
3. ICTC, O&G dept., SAT, Thiruvananthapuram
4. ICTC, District Hospital, Kannur
5. ICTC, General Hospital, Payyanur
6. ICTC, CHC, Adimali

Best Blood Banks

1. Blood Bank, District Hospital, Kollam
2. IMA Blood bank, Thrissur

Best 'Pulari' centre

STI Clinic, General Hospital, Ernakulam

Best 'Ushus' centre

ART, Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram

Red Ribbon Express - Best Conduct

Red Ribbon Express, Kollam

Best Red Ribbon Club under Nehru Yuva Kendra

Deepin Charitable Institute of Women, Elaenthikkara, Ernakulam

Best Red Ribbon clubs under National Service Scheme

1. Amala College of Advanced studies, Myladi, Nilambur
2. St.Xaviers College for Women, Aluva
3. MA College of Engineering, Kothamangalam
4. Govt. Women's Polytechnic College, Nedupuzha, Thrissur
5. Cooperative Arts and science College, Madai, Kannur

Best 'Prathyasa' centre

Drop-in-Centre, Malappuram

Voluntary blood donation at DH, Palakkad

The voluntary blood donation camp organized by the Kerala State AIDS Control Society at the District Hospital in Palakkad as part of the World AIDS Day programs 2008 was inaugurated by the District Collector. Others who were present during the inauguration included District Medical Officer (H), Deputy District Medical Officer, and Superintendent, District Hospital, Palakkad.

30 units of blood were collected during the camp. Among those who donated blood include the District Medical Officer (H), besides eight health department staff and 22 students from Cooperative College, Olavakode. All donors were provided with refreshments following the blood collection.