AIDS Awareness Initiative From the People Who Move India Apollo Health Care Clinic Apollo Tyres Ltd. ICAAP7, Kobe, Japan 2 July, 2005

Who Are We … Leader in the Indian tyre industry The fastest growing in India Leader in the commercial vehicle tyre segment Core principal: Create shareholder value through reliability in products and dependability in our relationship with stakeholders Corporate Objective: Customer Delight Revenue flow: 75% from commercial vehicle tyres Owners & drivers of H&LCVs are and will be our biggest stakeholders

Beyond Customer Delight … Scope of work: Awareness, prevention & cure of sexually transmitted infections & diseases Target: Truck drivers, helpers, mechanics & allied Catering to: The entire community serving the needs of the trucking population Method: Promote health, behaviour change and tools to safe sex methods Means: Treatment facility, information, education & condom promotion Four Clinics to eight and to twelve

Why & Where … Estimated 4.5 to 5 million long-distance truck drivers Age group of 25 to 50 years of age Nomadic lifestyle: away from family, high job pressures, fatalistic attitude Indulgence in alcohol, unprotected paid sex & drugs High rates of sexually transmitted diseases: Clinic population 25% have STI/STD Clinics located in transshipment hubs: Their homes away from home In India nearly 70% of goods are transported by road Transport Nagar

How Is It Done … Decision to restrict goal to awareness, prevention & cure of STI/STD Clinic set up with local NGOs NGOs must have capacity building & implementation experience Complimentary skill and intent Stakeholders involved: voluntary peer educators, dealers, fleet owners & transport unions, local area administration, politician, commercial sex workers Police

Means of Communication… Behaviour Change & Condom Promotion One-to-one/One-to-group Large infotainment programme Puppet shows Magic show Popular film show Free distribution network at the Clinic, public toilets and other strategic locations Peer educators, fleet owner offices and sex workers Social marketing Myth Busting Peer Educator

Clinical Activities... Membership & registration for three months Medical check-up, counseling, examination and medicines An area for rest and entertainment Driving traffic Location & visibility Referrals from staff, peer educators & stakeholders Holding in-clinic and outdoor infotainment programmes Clinic Timings

Clinical Infrastructure... Personnel Project coordinator, doctor, counselor, pharmacist, outreach workers Clinical facilities Doctors room Privacy for check-up and counseling Toilets Area for relaxation Blood tests VDRL versus VCT Clinic

Challenges... Drawing in the target audience Communicating without victimising Capturing the right data & strategising Finding the right partners Growing fast enough to meet needs Creating ownership Spiraling cost of medicines Keeping the team motivated / challenged

All this is but just a drop in the ocean …

Path Forward The International Finance Corporation is an active partner in Phase II of AIDS awareness programme Train factory medical officers and HR (create a core working committee) Training through experiential model Awareness programme for all employees Bring in an effective workplace awareness policy Greater networking to involve partners Create a model where in three years Clinic will be handed to the community Union President

Thank You for your attention