OneWorld.net (U.S.)

NEW DELHI: Students of Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia in the Capital now have the option of finding out their HIV/AIDS status within the confines of the university clinic where all the data would be kept confidential.

Leading the way to ensure that adolescents stay fighting fit and HIV-free, the Delhi State AIDS Control Society (DSACS) is providing an option to Delhi students to avail themselves of AIDS/HIV counselling and testing on the campus, eliminating the need to depend on the public or private health care system for testing.

With the introduction of the new programme, Delhi becomes the only State in the country to facilitate the testing of HIV/AIDS status for its students within the university campus.

Moving a step forward from restricting itself to creating awareness among the young, DSACS claims that students need something more substantial than just "classroom knowledge about AIDS/HIV".

"We decided that a more direct approach was required with the students. The new programme is designed specially for students living in the metro who are exposed to several pressures that make them prone to the virus. The programme, which was put together by top DSACS officials and experts in the field, will allow students to come in for pre and post counselling and testing for free,'' said a DSACS official.

DSACS is providing the funds for counsellors and technical personnel and will also help in sustaining the programme. ``In Delhi University we have started the programme with counselling already under way this past week. Also, we have carried out testing for 12 students. Counselling has also started in Jamia Millia Islamia and equipment for blood collection has been put in place. The facility needs to become operational at JNU, with the university beginning with the counselling process,'' said the official.

According to figures released by DSACS 35 per cent of the reported AIDS cases are in the age group of 15-to-29 years, while 45 per cent are in the 30-to-49-years age group.

"Students who test positive need to be re-taught how to live healthy and make use of the medical support that the Government offers to them. An HIV positive person today can lead a relatively fuller life and the younger generation should be well aware of this fact. The programme is designed to help the students in any manner that they need,'' say officials.

source: The Hindu More