Mizoram colleges to have Red Ribbon Clubs to combat AIDS

Aizawl, Aug 23 (UNI) The Mizoram government has taken initiative to establish 'Red Ribbon Clubs' in all the colleges and universities to motivate the youngsters against AIDS.

State AIDS Control society (MSACS) had appointed one nodal officer in each graduate and post graduate level to run these clubs.

MSACS Director Dr Ropari told UNI today that the nodal officers would be imparted extensive training on the campaign modules in the state by the first week of September.

MASCS had asked the heads of the institutions to select at least 10 students, who would be working as peer educator to create awareness on HIV/AIDS among the students as well as the civil society.

Revealing the statistics of HIV/AIDS in the state Dr Ropari said, ''103 persons including 38 female have died during 1990 to July 2006 while 1639 HIV carriers and 169 AIDS cases including 99 male patients had been detected out of total 29,385 tested blood samples''.

She further said the clubs would also campaign for safe blood donations in different health establishments.

Explaining the necessity of the club, Dr Ropari informed that more than 80 per cent of total HIV positives in the state are below 30 year of age and urged not to indulge in drug addiction and unsafe sex.

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