In the mid-90s, the Department of International Development, British High Commission, formed the Truckers Interim Coordination Unit (TICU) for a focussed programme among truck drivers. Ashok Leyland was one of the first organisations to associate itself by becoming an intervention centre.

In 1998, awareness and prevention programmes were started at the Hosur factories among convoy drivers with employee volunteerism. 56 employees from the Hosur Unit underwent trainers' training and took turns to do counselling. The Company doctor prescribes necessary treatment which are funded by transport contractors. By persuading medical intervention among their expectant HIV positive wives, many innocent lives have been saved.

In the worker development programmes employees are covered in batches. (Almost 100% of employees are covered on awareness. Employees have been trained as 'Peer Educators' who work as volunteers and continuously follow up employees' update on AIDS awareness.)

Outside the factory camps, and health education programs like lectures, cycle rallies, film shows, exhibitions, etc. are conducted through our volunteers in co-operation with AIDS Prevention and Control Project. We also provide counseling services at our Medical Center. Cases which require support service are sent to 'Seva Kendra' in Bangalore (an NGO backed by Rotary - TTK), RIDS (an NGO) in Hosur, Kingsley Community Centre - (an associate of Bill and Milinda Gates Foundation) in Krishnagiri.

We also have a Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center at Government Hospital, Hosur, where HIV tests are conducted. The NGOs referred above also provide palliative medicines free of cost.

Condoms are supplied free of cost by APAC. At Hosur there are 22 outlets - both traditional and non-traditional outlets - where condoms are made available at a subsidized price.