Bill Clinton Foundation to implement NGO's model nationwide

Thane, Nov, 19 (UNI) In a bid to combat AIDS/HIV positive cases, the Bill Clinton Foundation has decided to implement nationwide the district-based Prasad Chikitsa NGO's much appreciated model.

Revealing this information, Marie Elrington, Project Manager of HIV&RCH of the Prasad Chikitsa Charitable Trust, working for people in the Tansa Valley of Maharashtra, told UNI here today that a number of initiatives undertaken by the Chikitsa helped improve the health of tribal villagers and children as well.

The Trust conducted HIV awareness programmes using IEC materials for high school students, villagers, people in market places, teenagers who have dropped out of schools, industrial and migrant workers, pregnant women, doctors, contract workers, rickshaw drivers, truckers and village leaders, she said.

As regards testing and counselling, Ms Elrington said, ''The centre was a Government recognised Integrated Counselling and Testing centre (ICTC), where clients can receive pre-test counselling, have their blood tested for HIV and then receive post-test counselling whether the result is positive or negative.

With ICTC recognition, Prasad Chikitsa's HIV reports will be recognised anywhere in India,'' she added.

UNI XR SR GT KN1814