THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Red Ribbon Express, the awareness campaign on train against HIV/ AIDS would reach the state on April 23. A joint meeting of various departments held in the capital the other day reviewed the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the campaign in the state. Health Principal Secretary Rajeev Sadanandan chaired the meeting.The exhibition train would reach Palakkad railway station on April 23 and would halt at various railway stations across the state till May 5. The train would halt at Kannur railway station on April 24 and 25, Kozhikode on April 26 and 27, Thrissur on April 28, Ernakulam on April 29 and 30, Alappuzha on May 1 and 2, Kollam on May 3 and 4, and Thiruvananthapuram on May 5.The campaign is in the third phase of a series of campaigns held in 2007-08 and 2008-09. This year, the train was flagged off by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare on January 12.The exhibition intends to clear doubts on HIV/AIDS, to popularise new treatment facilities and to educate on preventive measures. This year, the target population of the campaign is women and youth. The programme would be held participating people’s representatives, NCC, police and educational institutions, including parallel and Open School streams.The first coach of the exhibition train would serve to educate the visitors on HIV/AIDS. While the second coach is on treatment facilities, the third one is specially designed for the youth.On the fourth coach, the theme of the exhibition would be general diseases and health sector. On the fifth coach, facilities would be arranged to provide training to those working in the health sector.There would be facilities to give coaching to three batches a day.On the sixth coach, there would be a team of doctors who would provide treatment and counselling.Last year, 855 persons were examined in the state of which four were found to have contracted AIDS.The seventh and eighth coaches would serve as offices. There would also be blood group determination camps at railway stations.The review meeting decided to popularise the event through print and TV media, FM radios, Doordarshan and Akashavani. Buses would also be arranged from rural areas for bringing people to visit the train.
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