Question : SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

(a) the number of children who have contracted sexually transmitted diseases in the country, State-wise; and

(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for the treatment of infected children and its prevention?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI S. GANDHISELVAN)

(a) The STI/RTI control and prevention programme records data in the computerised monitoring information system (CMIS) of NACO for individuals below 20 years suffering from STI (children, adolescents and young adults). Data is not further stratified age wise. The number of individual below 20 years of age diagnosed and treated for STI/RTI in India during FY 2011-12 as per NACO CMIS from 1122 designated STI/RTI clinics is 1,48,253. State Wise distribution of STI/RTI cases below 20 years of age for the year 2011-12 is annexed.

(b) STI/RTI control and prevention programme supports provision of universal, comprehensive and standardized free STI/RTI services through all the public health care facilities (district hospitals, medical colleges, primary health centre, community health centre, sub- divisional hospital). All the patients of STI including children, adolescents and young adults are provided with free consultation, treatment for STI through colour coded drugs and condoms at all public health care facilities. Additionally, counselling services are provided at districts hospital and medical colleges for promoting prevention of STI infection.

Under the Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) Programme under NRHM, ARSH clinics are established across various levels of existing health facilities for catering to the health requirements of adolescents, 10-19 years of age. These clinics are manned by trained manpower on adolescent health. Other then counselling and screening services available at the clinics, for specialised treatment, cases are referred to specialised doctors/facilities, and in the case of RTI/STIs, to gynaecologists.