Employees of the government Secretariat here donned red ribbons to show solidarity with those diagnosed as HIV positive.
Chief Secretary P. Prabhakaran led the employees in observing the World AIDS Day on Thursday. Additional project director of the Kerala AIDS Control Society N. Chandralekha Nair pinned the red ribbon on to Dr. Prabhakaran.
The Thiruvananthapuram branch of the Indian Medical Association observed the day by organising a programme at the Museum compound. Association secretary C. Prasanth led an awareness class on AIDS. NCC cadets of Mutharamman Kovil Higher Secondary School, Kottukalkonam, organised a cycle rally on Thursday to mark the day. The commanding officer of the Kerala NCC battalion Colonel Joseph Purakkel flagged off the rally.
Terumo Penpol Limited observed the day in association with All Saint's College on the college premises here. Sathyabhama, the blood transfusion officer of SCTIMST, inaugurated the function and made a presentation on blood and blood components. C. Padmakumar, executive director of the company, made a presentation on the role of students in promoting voluntary blood donation.
Shaiji and Chitra Elizabeth, junior residents of MCH Transfusion Medicine Department, organised a quiz for the students. A blood donation camp was also held. Even though 65 persons registered for the camp, only 21 could donate blood. Many were told not to donate blood because they were underweight and had low haemoglobin, a press note said.
