AIDS awareness for Metro workers

May 30, 2006

Anubhuti Vishnoi

New Delhi, May 29: THE Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will soon

start a four-year long AIDS awareness programme for the 10,000-

strong workforce engaged in building the Capital's metro network.

The awareness programme is being organised in view of the

International Labour Organisation's policy on HIV/AIDS.

``Our studies have shown that the large population of migrant

labourers from Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Rajasthan and Madhya

Pradesh falls under the high-risk group,'' said Anuj Dayal,

spokesperson DMRC.

``Together with the Delhi State AIDS Control Society (DSACS), we

will appoint a professional agency to help us implement the

programme. Tenders will be issued shortly and the programme should

start in a month's time, and continue till Phase II of the metro is

completed in 2010,'' said Dayal.

DMRC has asked its contractors to implement the plan, as per which

around 100 peer educators will be selected from the workforce and

sent for professional training to the appointed agency.

Once trained, these educators will act as focal points for

information and education of the workmen throughout the contract

period. DSACS will also help promote social marketing of condoms

among workmen.

Street plays, magic shows, posters in regional languages, pocket

calendars, flash cards, brochures and interactive sessions will be

used to spread AIDS awareness.

THE FIVE-PRONGED PLAN

The plan is based on a study done by the Voluntary Health

Association of India (VHAI) last year.

* Advocacy

* Institutional Capacity Building and Workplace Policy

* Project Monitoring

* Peer Education

* Condom Promotion

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