Tata Steel Renewed its Commitment for HIV Affected
Awareness at the Grass root level to prevent the spread of deadly disease

Reaffirming its commitment to eradicate the deadly disease, Tata Steel has committed to use its corporate infrastructure to expand community HIV/AIDS programmes in Orissa. Tata Steel, which has an HIV/AIDS workplace policy in place to ensure protection and promotion of human rights and non-discrimination towards HIV positives, is committed to contribute to the global effort towards halting and reversing the course of HIV/AIDS. Tata Steel is taking measures to actively disseminate the information and education regarding HIV/AIDS within the workplace and surrounding, with an objective to reduce its transmission. Tata Steel is providing appropriate medical management for all affected employees and their families.

On the occasion of World Aids Day, Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS) has organized various programmes in Ganjam and Jajpur district.

TSRDS observed the World AIDS Day in a grand way with multiple programmes in Sukinda. An HIV/AIDS Rally comprising SHG members, Youth clubs, school children, Village Health Workers, PRI members and villagers went around Sukinda. More than 300 persons participated in this rally. This was followed by a film show - "Katha Rakhiba, AIDS Rokiba" (Oriya film by OSACS). An awareness meeting on the prevention and control of HIV was organized.

District AIDS Prevention & Control Unit (DAPCU), Ganjam in association with Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS), ARUNA, GPSS, CARD, Action Aid, Karuna Trust, and Indian Red Cross Society organised an awareness rally in Berhampur. At morning 8 A.M. more than 1000 participants from different Schools, ASHA, Anganwadi Workers, volunteers from different organisations started an awareness rally from Khalikote College Stadium to the Town Hall. Dr Chandrasekhar Kumar, RDC (Southern Zone) flagged off the rally, in the presence of Mr Kartikeyan Pandian, District Collector, Ganjam and other dignitaries. After the arrival of the rally at Town hall, a meeting was organized where all the dignitaries spoke on the Theme of World AIDS Day-2009.

Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS), Gopalpur and Orissa State AIDS Control Society (OSACS), Bhubaneswar jointly started the first Community Care Center in Orissa, to provide better Health Care facility & Support to the HIV affected people. TSRDS Gopalpur has given treatment as well as counseling to 668 Nos. of patients out of which 289 are On ART (Anti Retro Viral Treatment) and 379 are Non ART (Anti Retro Viral Treatment). The total admission in this period is 621 and the total Out Patient turnover is 905 including new and old cases.