... Spirituality and abstinence from sex will, according to a hospital, which will propagate the message on World Aids Day today
...u00a0Spirituality and abstinence from sex will, according to a hospital, which will propagate the message on World Aids Day today
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"Abstinence can't be a footnote in Aids awareness programmes," explained Dr Ajay Sankhe, director of the hospital.
Added Dr Sandhya Subramanian of the hospital, "A value system is the need of the hour with teachers at a loss on how to deal with children who have had their first sexual encounter at an age as young as 10."
The hospital, which had the backing of four schools for its campaign launched in 2006, will now have over 20 schools and 400 students participating in their rally, which aims to cover over 40 schools between Kandivli and Bhayander and target youngsters in the 14 to 19 age group.
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Value Education: An Aids awareness programme organised by Bhakti Vedanta Hospital in a Mira Road school. The hospital says a value system is the need of the hour, as teachers struggle to handle children who become sexually active at very young ages |
Doubts
The campaign, however, has been received with indifference and doubt. Vishwanath Koliwad of the Family Planning Association of India said, "Spirituality can be helpful after infection.
It would help patients remain calm and connect with their inner selves. But protection is vital and cannot be ignored."
Added Dr Alaka Deshpande, head, J J Hospital's Aids Retroviral Treatment Centre, "Condoms cannot be ignored.
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In our own Aids prevention programme, we follow the ABC formula where A is for abstinence, B for being safe with your partner and C for condom.
You cannot expect the common man to abstain from sex. Spirituality can keep the patient out of depression, but cannot be the sole answer."
ABCD Formula
The Bhakti Vedanta Hospital uses the ABCD formula to stay away from condoms and yet not contract HIV/Aids. The formula is:
Au00a0- Association with value-based peer groups
Bu00a0- Books and other media that encourages values
C - Cultivating character
D - Diet and lifestyle
1986
The year when the first Aids case in India was detected
2006
The year Bhakti Vedant Hospital launched its campaign against Aids
Did you know?
In 2005, former US president Bill Clinton had praised India's success in combating Aids and said it could be a world leader in treating HIV.
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