Sunday 30 January 2011

FBOs to be roped in to combat HIV/AIDS

Jisha Surya

First Published : 28 Jan 2011

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: 'Let love be our religion in our fight against HIV and AIDS'. It is not a statement made by any of the religious organisations, but, the catchphrase for the latest campaign against HIV/AIDS planned by the Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS).

After successfully ensuring the participation of various sections of society in its campaign against AIDS, the KSACS now plans to rope in faith-based organisations (FBOs) in its HIV prevention activities.

As the first step, the KSACS has invited expression of interests (EoIs) from interested FBOs. It is the influence of religion in people and the vital role played by FBOs in the social context that influenced KSACS to go in for such a novel idea. The campaign, obviously, will be based on principles of morality.

According to S Ajai Kumar, jointdirector of KSACS, the KSACS expects support from organisations such as Kerala Catholic Bishop's Council (KCBC), Nair Service Society (NSS), Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) etc.

"Religious institutions and FBOs have made tremendous impact on the State's health and educational sector. People belonging to various faith dimensions are deeply influenced by the teachings of their religion.

"In fact, people are inclined to be more influenced by religious leadership than the civil governments," he said.

KSACS had organised meetings with religious heads and FBOs a couple of years ago.

During the consultations, the need of the intervention from FBOs in controlling and preventing HIV/AIDS was stressed. Based on this suggestion, KSACS has decided to get FBOs involved in a systematic and regular basis.

Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM), the youth wing of KCBC, is already active in their campaign against AIDS under the programme 'Sneha Douthyam'.

KSACS is planning to empanel interested FBOs to undertake programmes in all the districts in the state on a regular basis.

These FBOs will organise programmes as per the guidelines of the KSACS. Interested FBOs can approach the KSACS headquarters till February 10 and submit their EoIs.

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