New Delhi:
It was meant to spread the word on HIV in rural India but, the Red Ribbon Express is yet to fulfill its aim of reaching out to the rural poor. So on its second run, the train will go deeper into India to discuss AIDS and the government hopes that more people will step forward, not just to understand the disease but also to get tested and treated.
The Red Ribbon Express will this time stop at 180 stations in 141 districts. And this time, the train isn't only talking HIV/AIDS. The message that the special displays and on board counsellors will take to the people is about general health including swine flu and immunisation along with HIV/AIDS.
"Our society is technology driven and information is key. This is what the train will do. It will reach out to our rural people" said Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson of UPA.
Launched last year, the express was able to connect with 62 lakh people. Out of them, over one lakh people were counseled and 8,000 people identified and sent for HIV testing.
Despite the figures, the express did not generate as much response as expected. The government is attempting to push the programme by offering medical services at stations where the train will halt.
Despite massive awareness programmes, condom usage continues to be as low as around 6% in India. The Red Ribbon Express is trying to break that barrier.