Mainstreaming of HIV & AIDS and ensuring safe blood are major activities to control the spread of HIV & AIDS in the country. Of the over 1 billion youth (ages 15-24) worldwide, some 10 million youth are living with HIV . Every day, an estimated 6,000 youth are infected with the virus. Out of 2.47 million estimated population infected by HIV in India, 88.7% are in the age group of 15-49 years. In view of this, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India has proposed to establish a network with universities and educational institutions to generate awareness regarding HIV & AIDS, to promote Voluntary Blood Donation to ensure safe blood and implement preventive programmes on HIV & AIDS. Under the NACP (National AIDS Control Programme) III, youth have been identified as a vulnerable group requiring special attention. Recognizing the heterogeneity of the youth, NACP III aims to promote Red Ribbon Clubs to cover youth at risk to HIV both in campuses as well as in community.
The Red Ribbon Club is a voluntary on-campus intervention programme for students in educational institutions. It is initiated and supported by the State AIDS Control Society and implemented through multi-sectoral collaboration, particularly, using the services of cadre officers of the State's National Service Scheme (NSS). The programme will address the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of the youths in the interrelated areas of Voluntary Blood Donation, HIV & AIDS and sexuality, as demanded by their age, environment and life style. The Red Ribbon Club will serve as a complementary and comprehensive prevention intervention to support and reinforce similar youth led initiatives.
The RRC aims at harnessing the potential of the youth by equipping them with correct information on HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Support and Treatment. It also aims in building their capacities as peer educators in spreading messages on positive health behaviour in an enabling environment and increasing voluntary blood donation from among the youth.
1. To reduce new HIV infection among youth by raising their risk perception through awareness on Sex,
Sexuality and HIV & AIDS.
2. To induce among the youth the spirit to help and support People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
thereby reducing stigma and discrimination against PLHWAs.
3. To motivate youth and build their capacity as peer educators and change agents by developing
their skills on leadership, negotiation and team building
4. To promote voluntary non-remunerated blood donation among youth.
1. Vibrancy of Youth: Tap the vibrancy of youth and channelize the energy of the youth in a positive direction.
2. Sex & Sexuality, HIV/AIDS & STI: Provide access to correct information on sexuality, HIV/AIDS, STI and other
youth related issues in an enabling environment to promote healthy life styles.
3. Peer Education: Develop a cadre of Peer Educators among youth.
4. Voluntary Blood Donation: Promote voluntary non-remunerated blood donation.
Realising the need to set up a unit in the college, the RED RIBBON CLUB (RRC) was launched for the first time in St. Edmund's College on 19th September, 2010 at the college auditorium in the presence of the Vice Principal of the college, Prof. J.M. Sen, faculty members and students of the college, members of the press and officials of the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS). Prof. J. M Sen officially launched the college unit of RRC on this occasion.
1. Celebration of important days like
a. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (26th June)
b. World AIDS Day (1st December)
c. World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) (14th June)
2. Preparation of Blood Bank Directory.
3. Display of Posters in the campus.
4. Street Play.
5. Motivational talk on Blood Donation.