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Carla Bruni is not just a model. Here's proof

Last updated on: December 6, 2010 13:16 IST
France's First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy clasps her hands together in the traditional Indian welcome through the window of her car

France's First Lady Carla Bruni on Monday visited the Safdarjung Hospital and the New Delhi-based Naz Foundation Trust, an NGO working on HIV/AIDS and sexual health.

Most people around the world know Bruni as Italian-born French songwriter, singer and former model, but few know that she is also the brand ambassador for Global Fund, an international financing institution that invests the world's money to save lives, especially victims afflicted with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

To date, the Global Fund has committed 19.3 billion dollars in 144 countries to support large-scale prevention, treatment and care programs against these three diseases.

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Carla Bruni is not just a model. Here's proof

Last updated on: December 6, 2010 13:16 IST

Sources close to the French delegation accompanying Bruni said that at the Safdarjung Hospital, the French First Lady watched how its pediatric and maternity wings deal with antenatal care (the systemic medical supervision of women during pregnancy and HIV/AIDS care.
 
Having lost her brother to AIDS, Bruni has been making sincere efforts to pursue these preventive campaigns in a low-key manner, and does not flaunt this aspect of her life. She also actively involved with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

New Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital has the largest number of child deliveries. In 2009, the hospital delivered 20,397 babies, and till October of this year, the figure was 17,833.

Antenatal care begins with 'history-taking' and is followed by a complete examination of the patient.

Carla Bruni is not just a model. Here's proof

Last updated on: December 6, 2010 13:16 IST
Carla speaking during a news conference for World AIDS Day at the Marigny hotel in Paris on December 1, 2010

Thereafter, the mother-to-be receives advice and instructions about her mode of life, diet and regular antenatal check-ups till labour sets in.

The obstetric history begins with the age of the mother and includes information about the number of years since marriage, number of pregnancies, previous deliveries, abortions, pre-term labour, complications during previous pregnancies or labour, etc.

Difficulties in previous deliveries, application of forceps, caesarean births and the birth weight of former children are also important.

Its aim is to preserve the physiological aspect of pregnancy and labour and to prevent or detect, as early as possible, all that is pathological.

Carla Bruni is not just a model. Here's proof

Last updated on: December 6, 2010 13:16 IST
File photo shows Carla attending the international launch of the Born Hiv Free campaign in Paris

Medical staff at Safdarjung Hospital also briefed Bruni about how they determine the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge of pregnant women.

An HIV test is mandatory for pregnant women in India, as passing the AIDS virus from mother to child is a human rights violation.

From Safdarjung Hospital, the French First Lady headed to the Naz Foundation, managed by Anjali Gopalan, who is its founder and executive director to see how it functions on issues of prevention of HIV/AIDS and protection of sexual health.

Source: ANI