KHOROG, March 13, 2010, Asia-Plus — A seminar for local journalists on the correct coverage of the AIDS/HIV news in media took place in Khorog, the capital of Gorno Badakhshan on March 12.
The GBAO AIDS Center director Mulloabdol Charoghabdolov told Asia-Plus that the seminar was part of the working plan of the project, Pamir against AIDS-II. “This project aims to promote correct coverage of the problem of spread and prevention of HIV/AIDS in the region,” Charoghabdolov said.
The seminar participants considered issues related to the HIV/AIDS situation in Gorno Badakhshan, coverage of HIV/AIDS news in media, stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.
The journalists were also informed of activity of the GBAO AIDS Center and visited its labs and voluntary counseling and testing center.
We will recall that the Pamir against AIDS: HIV Prevention & Care in GBAO was initiated by the AIDs Foundation East-West (AFEW). By building the local capacity of service providers in the GBAO region, this project seeks to effectively address the growing HIV epidemic among vulnerable populations (that is, injecting drug users and highly vulnerable women, including sex workers), as well as supporting those individuals already living with HIV. The focus is on involving all sectors of society in building a client-centered continuum of care that includes prevention, treatment and support.
The AFEW website says that to-date, AFEW has facilitated and supported the creation of a voluntary counseling and testing center and a Training Resource Center (TRC) located at the GBAO AIDS Center. The TRC provides technical assistance to local partners on conducting training and informational sessions for specialists. Finally, a large-scale social referral network has been put in place, bringing together 26 local service providers from the spheres of harm reduction, public health, legal and psycho-social support. All members are linked to the Client Management Monitoring System, which provides centralized information about each client’s requirements and use of services. The network also hosts seminars on capacity and sustainability issues for local service providers and members.
