The Chennai Corporation AIDS Prevention and Control Society (CAPACS) is all set to be merged with the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS).
In an official communication to the project directors of the two societies in April, the Department of AIDS Control, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said that the issue of running two AIDS control societies in the same State was examined at the time of formulation of National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) – IV.
“Based on the experience during NACP II and III and keeping the opportunities for integration in view, the AIDS control societies established earlier in districts of Chennai and Ahmedabad will be phased out in the initial years of NACP IV,” the communication stated.
In view of this recommendation and other factors such as economies, duplication of efforts, and resources the department decided to merge activities under all the components in CAPACS with TANSACS.
A senior official said the staff strength at CAPACS was limited and its activities were lesser. Hence, the department had decided to merge CAPACS with TANSACS.
CAPACS runs nearly 44 Integrated Counselling and Testing Services (ICTC) centres at the Corporation’s health facilities and a few government hospitals.
Officials of Chennai Corporation said the merger has almost been completed. “Most of the staff have been absorbed by TANSACS. We are seeking administrative control of the ICTCs functioning at the Corporation’s health facilities. This will be taken up in the next meeting,” an official noted.
Another official said that while counsellors and lab technicians, who are contractual staff of CAPACS, will now work for TANSACS, the services of administrative staff is yet to be decided.
A counsellor, who has been working with CAPACS for nine years, said they were involved in HIV testing, counselling and other activities of the Corporation such as medical camps and awareness programmes.
“We are paid Rs. 12,000 per month. Officials have said we will be taken over by TANSACS,” the counsellor said.
