APAC organized a family meeting on July 22, 2009 at Dr. Sanjeevi Auditorium, VHS. The project holders and the project coordinators from all the APAC funded NGOs were present to attend the meeting. Sessions on HIV- TB co infection, STI and counseling were organized for the benefit of the participants. Dr. ES Krishnamoorthy, CEO and Hon. Secretary of VHS presided over the function.

Addressing the NGO partners, Dr. Krishnamoorthy said that he is happy to be a part of the APAC family. Appreciating the efforts of NGOs he said, “Today if APAC has emerged as a leader it is because of the involvement and support of NGOs and because of its high ethical standards.”

Dr Krishnamoorthy said, APAC has demonstrated a very successful model in the field of HIV/ AIDS and has been successful in changing the behavior of people who are at risk. He urged the NGOs to come up with new initiatives for the sustainability of the programs.

Earlier in the day Dr. Geeta Joseph from CDC and Dr. Anasua Bagchi, Team Leader- TSU jointly conducted a session on HIV- TB coordination. Dr. Geeta Joseph informed that 1 in 3 HIV positive people are infected with TB and that the TB prevalence in India is 40%. Developing nations are home to nearly 90% of dually affected people.

Dr. Mahalingam, Senior Program Manager- Care and Treatment conducted a session on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). In a very interesting manner he explained about the types of STD and the preventive measures. He concluded his session by saying, “Prevention is better than CURE else we need to CARE”. He also spoke about the Nakshatra Clinics and asked the NGOs to refer the core groups to Nakshatra Plus Clinics or hospitals.

Thereafter, Ms. Francis Pornisgula updated the Project Coordinators about Master Health Check Up Program and Ms. Nisha Gupta, Behavioural Scientist, CDC conducted a session on Counseling.