HIV / AIDS :
What is HIV?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS. A member of a group of viruses called retroviruses, HIV infects human cells and uses the energy and nutrients provided by those cells to grow and reproduce.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is a disease in which the body's immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off infections, known as "opportunistic infections," and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system.
What SRH is doing:
We have started a Care & Support facility for orphans who are HIV +ve where both parents have expired with HIV/AIDS. We have 29 children at present and are in the process of expanding the facility to accomodate more children
We have also started a 30 bedded Care & Support project for the treatment of opportunistic infections in adults. An Outpatient Counseling Centre has also be established.
PPTCT (Prevention of Parent To Child Transmission) program:
We have been appointed as the co-ordinator for Sangareddy division of Medak District to implement this program. The program involves identifying pregnant mothers, in the rural areas, who are HIV+ve and administering Neverapine prior to the delivery as this prevents the transmission of the virus to the baby
Programs in the past:
Conducted Awareness programmes amongst students of the 9th, 10th and Junior College sponsored by Project Concern International, U.S.A.
208 Schools & Colleges taken up and a total number of 32,581 students attended the programme. Pre & post tests conducted indicated a better awareness of the problem.
The programme lasted till 2001. As a fallout of this programme we had several requests from various Principals / Head Masters of various Schools & Colleges to conduct lecture demonstration to their faculty which was highly appreciated & 843 persons attended the Sessions & Seminars. 1925 Community Link Volunteers were also addressed.
