Hygiene practices to help prevent spread of Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19)

ü Good hand hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of Corona virus

ü Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash them with soap and water.

ü Maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) between you and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

ü Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

ü Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means, covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the used tissue immediately in a bin.

ü If you have fever,cough,and/or difficulty in breathing, seek medical care at the earliest

ü Stay informed and follow the advice given by your health care provider.

ü In case you are unwell, it is advisable to stay at home and avoid contact with people.

ü If your children are unwell, refrain from sending them to school /college.

8th March 2020 International Women's Day

The International Women's Day is observed every year on March 8 to celebrate the women's movement and struggle for equality. According to the United Nations Women, the theme for International Women's Day 2020 is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women's Rights

Republic Day Celebrations

Ideas Competition for IGNOU Students

INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY

 Institute’s Innovation Council (IIC) 

National Centre for Innovation in Distance Education (NCIDE) 

‘Ideas Competition for IGNOU Students’

 IGNOU has set up Institutions Innovation Council (IIC) at the National Centre for Innovation in Distance Education (NCIDE). IIC at IGNOU aims at promoting idea generation, grassroots innovation, develops prototype, solve problem in the local context with a view to generating intellectual property and one of the objectives of IIC at IGNOU is to recognize the power of idea and transform the ideas in to workable solutions. The IIC and IGNOU is organizing an ‘Idea Competition’ for its students followed by “Festival of Ideas” to showcase and recognise the ideas of IGNOU students. IGNOU students can submit their original and creative ideas that can solve any daily life problem in any of the fields including Food, Agriculture and Rural Development, Clean Energy and Alternate Fuel, Clean Water and Water Management, Swacchhata Initiatives and Waste Management, Health Care and Hygiene, Education and Open University System and Smart Transportation and Traffic Management. The ideas in these areas could be interdisciplinary also. The ideas will be evaluated on the criteria of their novelty, complexity, clarity and details, feasibility, practicability, sustainability, scale of impact, cost effectiveness and future prospects, etc. The selected students will be invited to participate and present their ideas in the Festival of Ideas on February 28, 2019 at IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi. Further, they will be mentored and nurtured for developing business plan to work on the ideas. This will be an unique opportunity for IGNOU students to showcase their ideas and vision. In this context, bonafide IGNOU students are invited to submit their ideas in the prescribed Proforma to the Director, NCIDE at IGNOU through email at ncide@ignou.ac.in or by post. The Proforma can be downloaded from IGNOU website (www.ignou.ac.in). The selected students from different regions will be invited to present their work in the Festival of Ideas and the selected best three entries will be awarded prizes and certificates. 

The last date for receiving the ideas from the students is January 20, 2019.

World AIDS Day 2018: Theme, awareness slogans, history, key facts

Today, that is December 1 2018, World Health Organisation (WHO) joins global partners and citizens to commemorate AIDS Day under the theme 'Know Your Status'.

This is also an occasion to celebrate the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day -- a pioneering global health campaign first initiated by WHO in 1988.

2 objectives of the theme of AIDS Day 2018

It is estimated that currently only 75 per cent of people with HIV know their status.

WHO advocacy and communication for World AIDS Day 2018 with the theme 'Know Your Status' aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Urge people to know their HIV infection status through testing, and to access HIV prevention, treatment and care services
• Urge policy-makers to promote a 'health for all' agenda for HIV and related health services, such as tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis and non-communicable diseases

World AIDS Day 2018: 5 Things You Should Know

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 every year. The day is dedicated to spreading awareness about the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) which is spread by infection from a virus called human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The day is marked by the World Health Organisation as a global public health campaign. One can be at a greater risk of HIV if one has unprotected anal or vaginal sex, sharing contaminated needles, syringes and other injecting equipment, receive unsafe injections, blood transfusions, tissue transplantation, medical procedures that involve unsterile cutting or piercing; and experience accidental needle stick injuries including among health workers.

Diploma in HIV and Family Education

Diploma in HIV AIDS and Family Education

Certificate in Family Education (HIV-AIDS)

Induction Meetings 25.03.2018

Induction Meeting

Induction is the organised programme of welcome and introductory activities you will participate in as a new student joining a particular programme of study. Induction is a mandatory element of starting University and all new students are expected to participate. Over the induction you will have the opportunity to:

• Find out about your programme of study.
• Meet your fellow students, lecturers and find your way around the University.
• Find out from current students what IGNOU is really like and have any of your questions answered about what to expect.
• Find out more about the University's support systems and resources to help you study.

Being the Distance learning Programme the role of induction meeting is more important as you will be able to communicate with the university officials, study centre officials and your lecturers face to face.

The following points are discussed in detailed in the meeting:

1.         Programme Objectives and Its Structure
2.         Counselling Sessions and Teaching Methodology
3.      Course Material, I Card , Exam Form, Revaluation, Credit System, Grades  
4.      Assignments and Its Importance 
5.      Examination System
6.      Evaluation System of the University
7.      Important dates like for filling the examination form, assignment submissions.

Schedule of CAFE-DAFE Jan 2018 Session

Indira Gandhi National Open University

Special Study Centre–0742 D

Al-Ameen Education and Welfare Trust, Nizamuddin, New Delhi.

Schedule of theory classes for CAFÉ/DAFE Programme (January to June 2018)

S.N.	Day & Date	Time	Bock to be covered
1.	Saturday 31.3.2018	3.00-5.00 PM	BFE-101 (Block 1 to 3)
2.	Saturday 31.3.2018	5.00-7.00 PM	BFEE-101 (Block 1 to 3)
3.	Saturday 07.4.2018	3.00-5.00 PM	BFE-102 (Block 1 to 3)
4.	Saturday 07.4.2018	5.00-7.00 PM	BFEE-102 (Block 1)
5.	Saturday 21.4.2018	3.00-5.00 PM	BFEE-102 (Block 2 to 3)
6.	Saturday 21.4.2018	5.00-7.00 PM	BFEE-103 (Block 1)
7.	Saturday 28.4.2018	3.00-5.00 PM	BFEE-103 (Block 2 to 3)
8.	Saturday 28.4.2018	5.00-7.00 PM	BFEE-104 (Block 1 to 3)

            Academic Counsellor: Dr. L.B. Singh 

***************************

Induction Meeting on Sunday 15.10.2017

Dear Student,

We welcome you to the DAFE Programme of IGNOU. You have been allotted our special Study Centre (SC Code:- 0742 D). The Induction meeting of DAFE Programme will be held on 15th Oct  2017 at 3:00 p.m at New Horizon School Complex, Near Humayun Tomb, Nizamuddin East, New Delhi-110013.

The detailed schedule of classes will be displayed on the Centre’s notice board on 15th Oct 2017. Please visit study centre blog on family education and HIV AIDS  HTTP://familyeducationhivaids.blogspot.in/ for more details.

It is compulsory to submit the examination form and assignments  to appear in the Term End Theory Examination June , 2018 without late fee from 1^st March 2018 to 31st March 2018.

We assure you that we will provide you the best support in terms of counseling session and other university related services. We will be available for your help on telephone number 9891910281 during office hours. (10:30 am to 6:30 pm only)

Wishing you a successful career ahead.

(Naveen Bhatia)

Centre In-charge

IRC schedule for May 2017

Did You Know Expressing or Propagating Hatred Against HIV/AIDS Patients Is Now a Criminal Offence?

On April 21, 2017, the President gave his assent to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 (HIV/AIDS Act). Most coverage of this legislation so far has been based on old versions of the Act (before it was introduced in Parliament) and press releases from the government. However, now that a final version of the Act is available, it is possible to assess its provisions.

A look at these provisions shows that while the Act does have some shortcomings, it has the potential to be used as a tool to realise a wide range of rights and improve the lives of persons living with HIV.

What the HIV/AIDS Act does

The purpose behind passing the HIV/AIDS Act is two-fold: recognise a broad range of rights for persons living with and affected by HIV, as well as provide statutory legitimacy to efforts by the government to prevent and control the transmission of HIV. Like the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2017 and the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 preceding it, it is a rights-based legislation which allows people affected by HIV to seek redressal if they face discrimination, or if any of the rights recognised under the Act are denied to them.

Most people living with HIV have faced some form of discrimination in their daily lives. Such discrimination first came to prominence several years ago, through the case of Dominic D’Souza, the founder of the Positive People group in Goa.

In 1989, it was detected that Dominic was HIV-positive after he donated blood at a local hospital. Following this, he was subjected to forced confinement in a former TB sanatorium for 64 days under the Goa Public Health Act. He challenged this action in court, which ordered his release till the court proceedings were over.

Due to efforts by Dominic and several health activists, the Goa legislature also amended the provisions in the Goa Public Health Act which allowed the mandatory isolation of any person in whom the HIV virus had been detected.

Owing to sensitisation efforts by people in the HIV movement and the government, we have made some progress since that case. However, stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV still persists. It thus becomes crucial to address it through legal means, in addition to existing measures aimed at addressing these issues.

The Act takes the first definitive step in this direction by making discrimination based on ‘HIV-related grounds’ a punishable offence. These ‘HIV-related grounds’ apply not only to persons who are/were HIV-positive, but also to anyone residing with an HIV-positive person. This is limited not only to the family members of the person, but could also include traditional households of transgender persons and same-sex partners.

In addition to this, courts can punish any act or speech expressing or propagating feelings of hatred against a ‘protected person’ by imprisonment up to two years, or a fine up to ₹1 lakh.

Perhaps, two of the groups most adversely affected by HIV-related stigma are women and children. The Act, therefore, makes special provisions for their welfare and well-being. Children who are HIV-positive, either of whose parents is HIV-positive or who are AIDS orphans, can claim special benefits under this Act.

Any person can approach the Child Welfare Committees set up under the Juvenile Justice Act in case the child is being dispossessed from his/her property, if someone has trespassed into the child’s house, or for safekeeping of property documents. It also recognises the guardianship of older siblings below the age of 18 who can handle the affairs of their HIV-affected family. Further, the Act states that women who may potentially face violence do not necessarily have to disclose their HIV status to their spouse.

Finally, the Act addresses an important facet of discrimination faced by vulnerable groups. These include men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender persons, sex-workers, and persons who inject drugs (PWID). The operation of other laws often hinders efforts at reducing the risk of HIV transmission.

In 2001, authorities arrested nine people working for a Lucknow-based NGO under section 377. They then linked this arrest to the nine’s work on HIV prevention among the MSM community. This caused alarm in the HIV community. Now, the Act specifically addresses this issue. It states that authorities cannot punish any measures taken for risk-reduction under any other laws that may affect it. This includes distributing condoms, providing needle exchange services, and Opioid Substitution Treatment to PWID.

The Way Forward

The HIV community has justifiably been critical of some aspects of this Act. The biggest concern is that the Act requires the State provide diagnostics and treatment for HIV ‘as far as possible’. This dilutes state responsibility, and is contrary to the rights-based spirit of the Act. However, one cannot clearly state the exact import of the phrase at this point. It will be up to the courts to decide how broadly to interpret this phrase.

Activists have also criticised the mechanism for enforcing the Act’s rights. The Act sets up an HIV Ombudsman and Complaints Officers (in establishments with more than 100 employees). However, it does not clearly define their function and powers. It is thus crucial for the community to continue its efforts to leverage the tools the Act provides. This will help the government enforce these rights, and maximise the benefits to persons living with HIV.

Include yoga modules in physiotherapy courses: UGC to universities

The University Grants Commission on Thursday asked central universities to include modules of yoga teaching and training in their bachelor's and master's courses in physiotherapy.



In a communication to vice-chancellors on Thursday, UGCsecretary Jaspal S Sandhu referred to a a letter received from the Union HRD ministry seeking inclusion of yoga in Bachelors and Masters of Physiotherapy courses from the forthcoming academic session.

Health dept looks at detailed health as subject in school

Concerned about increasing lifestyle diseases, especially among youngsters, the health department is looking at introducing health as a subject for school children.



While the proposal is in the preliminary stages, UT Khader, health minister, said that the department was looking at introducing the subject in schools during the coming academic year.

New tuition-free health studies degree launched in non-profit US Online University

 University of the People, the world's first non-profit, tuition-free, accredited American Online University, has announced the launch of its associate and bachelor degrees in Health Studies, says a statement.

The launch of the Health Studies programme follows the university's announcement last month of adding an MBA degree to its offerings of associate and bachelor's programs in Business Administration and Computer Science.

The statement said leading figures are heading the programme's taskforce: Nobel Laureate and President Emeritus of The Rockefeller University, Torsten N Wiesel, chairman and CEO of Fortune 500 company Henry Schein, Stanley M Bergman, Princeton University Professor Dalton Conley, and Columbia University Professor Darcy Brisbane Kelley.

UoPeople President, Shai Reshef: "We realize that in most countries, the demand for healthcare workers is huge. The critical shortage of skilled health-care workers, which manifested previously with SARS coronavirus, Ebola, and now with the Zika virus, has brought alarming attention to the fact that governments are unable to effectively handle global health crises partially due to insufficient, quality programmes to address the shortfall. UoPeople's Health Studies programme will prepare health workers for the workforce as well as prepare students for advanced studies within the medical field. We believe that in developed as well as developing countries, this is a priority that must be addressed".

'HIV patients leaving treatment mid-way'

Vadodara: Concerned over increasing number of HIV patients leaving ART therapy mid-way, SSG Hospital's Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) has launched an initiative to educate the patients on ways to sustain the heavy dose of medicines administered.



While the inability to sustain the side-effects of the medicine is a major reason among the patients, doctors believe that the travel to the only ART center in the region at SSG Hospital is also a challenge for many patients.

Reverse symptoms of Alzheimer, Parkinson found

A new study describes an innovative strategy that reverses symptoms in the  neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer and Parkinson, at least in fruit flies which had been genetically altered to model the diseases.

These common neurodegenerative disorders cause untold suffering to millions of patients and their families. Treatments for these diseases are limited, and no cures exist.

"The novel approach we used has significant translational implications," said one of the lead researcher, Robert Schwarcz.

Anonymity helps Hyderabadis talk sexual, mental health

While sexual and mental health issues remain taboo even today, the anonymity that online forums offer these days comes as a life saver for many Hyderabadis. An affirmation of this can be found in a six-city survey carried out by Lybrate, an online medical consultation platform -that shows a whopping 56% of interactions by city users are in relation to mental and intimate problems.