'Health is wealth’ as the saying goes. Socio-economic growth is important for progress of any community but health is even more important aspect, if any individual or community has to flourish. Though government has made provision to provide health services to one and all under NRHM, it is not reaching the poor, needy and deserving, especially in remote and interior areas of India.

HIV is no longer a phenomenon prevalent in urban cities only. Very rapidly it is also spreading in rural areas. The difference is in the awareness levels. Considerable number of female sex workers is based in rural areas too. There are no intervention programs for men having sex with men and for drug users. Through cross infection, there could also be number of pregnant mothers infected by HIV.

The existing health functionaries are not appropriately oriented in understanding the psychosocial dynamics of the disease and have very limited skill and capacity to deal with high risk groups and vulnerable populations. Link Worker Scheme was formed with an objective of reaching out to high risk groups and vulnerable men and women in rural areas. The aim was to provide information and knowledge related to STI/HIV prevention and risk reduction to promote behavior change.

Various awareness activities like Rally, Bhavai, Exhibitions, distribution of IEC material, signature campaigns, wall paintings etc. were undertaken. Sensitizing workshops with PRI members, Health Service Providers and other community leaders were conducted. Total 12,115 people belonging to vulnerable groups like migrant workers, truckers including commercial sex workers were tested for HIV/AIDS.

60 Youth Information Centers (YIC) were established to furnish accurate information and knowledge on prevention and protection against HIV/AIDS to general population. Activities like setting up a library, income generation activities for widows, performing street plays on superstations and de-addiction, workshop on hand pump repairing, starting cleanliness drive, promoting kitchen garden and tree plantation, organizing HB testing camps, motivating BPL children to attend school, conducting tailoring classes and so on were undertaken.

Peer outreach in focused vulnerable communities, has shown to be the most effective way of developing skills among young people. YICs and their different village developmental activities have proven to be a savior for the young people.