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P-ACT News Newsletter Apr-Sep 2009 Global Fund Project |
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P-ACT News
PFI
Volume 1/ Issue 4
April- September 2009
From the Desk of the Executive Director
With the scale up of testing, treatment, care and
support services, People Living with HIV have now a
ray of hope. The ART services available free of cost
in the government hospitals and care and support
services provided by the civil society consortium have
enabled PLHIV to accept their status and look ahead
for a productive life. The psycho- social support from
the peers has given PLHIV hope for a positive life.
With nutrition, treatment, care and support from peers,
family and community, HIV can now be managed like
any other chronic disease. We need to overcome the
challenges and enable PLHIV to live a life of dignity.
A. R. Nanda
Executive Director
Population Foundation of India
Message from the Project Director
Stigma and discrimination and access to treatment
are two important issues associated with HIV.
Livelihood is a burning issue for People Living with
HIV. Discrimination in society plays havoc in lives of
PLHIV and their families. Unfortunately, PLHIV
are still loosing their job due to their status. Infected
and affected children with HIV are still discriminated
in schools. We need to address these issues in a holistic
manner. The state level expositions provide a platform
to discuss these emerging issues with various
stakeholders to identify the way forward.
Dr Mary Verghese
Project Director
Population Foundation of India
“My thoughts, nobody understood,
Everyone just saw me smiling,
No one could see my silent tears.
Everybody could see me living,
But my death was not realized.
My light, everyone could see,
But nobody saw the darkness of my mind.
I grieve, I was blamed, No one understood me.”
A poem by a PLHIV in ‘Youth Mahotstav’, a state level exposition organized by PFI, Maharashtra state unit
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Programme Updates
A platform for People Living with HIV to share and learn
from each other - that’s what expositions are all about. Its time
to meet new people, make new friends, learn and move ahead
with a greater zeal towards life. Expositions provide a ground
for PLHIV to display their skills and talents, build capacities,
gain knowledge and provide psycho social support. Since last
two years, PFI is organising state level expositions in the six
high prevalence states in India. These expositions provide a
platform for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) involved in the
program to share their experiences to a broad range of
stakeholders. Moreover, these fora help PLHIV to represent
their needs, get motivated and informed on services available.
Representatives from District Level Networks (DLNs), Positive
Living Centres (PLC), Community Care Centres (CCC),
Comprehensive Care and Support Centres (CCSC), ART Centres,
State AIDS Control Societies (SACS), senior officials of various
government departments, colleges, banks, NABARD, NGOs,
media participate in these events.
YOUTH MOHOTSAV
Youth is linked with adventure, experiment and a sprit to
explore. Many a time this euphoria and peer pressure takes
youth towards darkness. Unemployed, impoverished and
migrant youth are particularly vulnerable. They lack adequate
information, education and opportunities. They become
vulnerable to drugs and HIV.
Population Foundation of India, Maharashtra state unit and
Network of Maharashtra People with HIV (NMP+) organized
Yuvak Mahotstav from 9th June to 11th June 2009 to address
the issue of HIV and youth. Around 100 HIV positive youth
participated from 35 districts of Maharashtra. From each district,
two young PLHIV participated along with Treatment Outreach
worker of the ‘Access to Care and Treatment’ program. The
program was inaugurated by Mr Nilesh Nikam, Chairman,
Standing Committee of Pune Municipal Corporation.
Participants in the Yuyak Mohotsav, state level exposition organized
by PFI, Maharashtra State unit
The idea was to sensitize youth about positive prevention.
This was done by sharing experiences, through games, clarifying
doubts through interactive sessions with experts, Dr.
Gangakhedkar, NARI and Mr. Bindumadhav Khire were the
resource persons. They were provided information on sex and
sexuality, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), HIV and
Antiretroviral therapy (ART). It was found that 40% of the
youth who were unmarried and recently married amongst the
participants had a history of STI. The participants felt that they
should come forward to reduce stigma & discrimination in the
society and support DLN. They also volunteered to form peer
groups to spread awareness about positive prevention. . The
competitions of poster, slogans, poems and street plays were
organized. The three best DLNs were given prizes.
CHILDREN AND HIV
Childhood is best
phase in a person’s
life. It is associated
with innocence,
laughter, play and
books. Ironically
for some, a lot of
it goes missing.
These
are
Children Living
with HIV. In
newspapers, we
often come across
news of children
CLHIV enjoying Iceland game- a game for
unity at the state level exposition of PFI, Andhra
Pradesh State unit
being thrown out of school due to their HIV status or being
discriminated by community. Children Living with HIV
(CLHIV) is a sensitive and important issue that need to
addressed.
Keeping this in mind, Population Foundation of India, Andhra
Pradesh state unit organized a state level exposition on 14th and
15th July 2009 at Vishakhapatnam. The theme for the exposition
was “Children & Care Takers – A platform to discuss about
children living with HIV/AIDS. Issues, Challenges and
Solutions”. Participants were care takers of CLHIV and CLHIV
who are on ART. Nearly around 50 care takers and 50 children
participated in the exposition. Officials from Andhra Pradesh
State AIDS Control Society, NGOs working in HIV sector in
Vishakhapatnam, District level Network staff members and
representatives of NGO/Private sector consortium participated
in the program.
Parallel sessions were organized for CLHIV and Care takers.
The forum discussed on important issues like the problems
faced by care takers in providing care to CLHIV, like
discrimination in school, pressure to cope with other students,
lack of physical development, missing school for ART, and
children refusing to take medicines properly. It was recommended
to start initiatives like life skill and support group meetings for
CLHIV, low cost nutritious food and to provide economic
support to CLHIV
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Challenges faced and possible recommendations by care takers
were advocated to the district government authorities and other
stakeholders working with the issues related to CLHIV. Many
of the CLHIV came to know about their status, many care
takers came to know that children knew about HIV before
coming to the program and were surprised with their knowledge.
It was recommended to care givers that they should start
talking about health issues with CLHIV at an early stage.
Moreover, disclosure is not a one time event. It’s an ongoing
process. State AIDS Control Society has agreed to take up some
suggestions given by care takers.
RECOGNISING THE CHANGE MAKERS
The Round 4,
‘Access to Care and
Treatment’ program
is being imple-
mented in Tamil
Nadu for the last
four and half years.
It has inspired many
PLHIV to live a
healthy life. The Participants at the " Change Makers 2009",
members of District state level exposition organised by PFI, Tamil
level Networks, Nadu State unit
Positive Living
Centers and Treatment Counseling Centers have contributed a
lot towards effective implementation of the program. PLHIV
in the ACT program have touched many lives in a positive way.
It was time to recognize those who have come out of darkness,
have accepted their status and helped many to accept theirs and
to live a positive life. Keeping the theme “Change Makers
2009”, Population Foundation of India, Tamil Nadu State
unit organized a state level exposition from 29th to 31st July
2009 at Mamalla Beach Resort, Mamallapuram.
The exposition promoted good practices and provided PLHIV
an opportunity to relax. Rewards, recognition and capacity
building were the major tools used in the exposition to enhance
motivation. Around 100 PLHIV participated in the exposition.
The participants were members of District level Networks,
Treatment Counseling Centres, Positive Living Centres, Social
Workers, Counselors and Out Reach Workers. The sessions
focused on the power of positive living. Resource persons were
from UNICEF, TANSACS, APAC, Lawyers Collective, and
Industrial Managements. Regional Coordinator from
TANSACS shared her opinions on working with networks.
Sessions revolved around important issues like spirituality and
health, leadership and management. Expectations,
responsibilities, qualities to be a good leader were discussed
through interactive sessions. The face to face interaction between
the networks and other stakeholders helped to develop better
understanding and improved support to PLHIV. It attracted
industries like Ashok Leyland and ITC to contribute to the
networks in the form of providing nutrition, and mementos.
WOMEN AND HIV
Alarmingly, there is an increasing feminization of HIV/AIDS
in India. Women face a lot of discrimination due to their HIV
status. Moreover,
they are the
primary care givers
in a family and
they are unable to
devote proper
time and care for
themselves.
Population Foun-
dation of India,
Karnataka state
unit conducted a Medical examination for WLHIV at the state
three day state level exposition organized by PFI, Karnataka
level exposition state unit
from 20 – 22 July, 2009 at Kudalasangama of Baglkot District,
Karnataka. The core participants were PLHIV especially positive
women who are working as Volunteer Peer Educators in the
ACT program.
The theme was “Women – Being the change makers in health
and development”. The aim was to improve knowledge about
health and accessibility to services. This was an effort to educate
and sensitize participants on issues like reproductive tract
infection, cervical cancer prevention, second line ART, government
schemes, low cost nutrition - preparation and demonstration,
gender and enhancing health seeking behaviour among the
women. Women Living with HIV discussed the issues with
experts and cleared their misconceptions and doubts. Addressing
the interactive session, the resource person from St John’s
Hospital, Bangalore gave an overview on cervical cancer, causes,
risk factors as well as treatment methodologies. Treatment
options for cervical cancer were discussed. Sessions on gender
equality were also held. A medical camp was organized and
medical test like blood group and Hb were conducted for the
Women Living with HIV.
LIVELIHOOD AND HIV
Livelihood is one of the major issues related to The situation is
grave in states like Manipur, where there are limited opportunities
for occupation.
Dr. Kh. Pramod Kumar , PD (Technical), Manipur, SACS interacting
to a SHG member at the state level exposition organized by PGFI,
Manipur State unit
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To address this serious issue, Population Foundation of India,
Manipur state unit organized a state level exposition with the
theme “Empowerment through Participation”. The broader
goal of the exposition was to address the economic needs of the
PLHIV in the state. Resource persons were from NABARD,
Social Welfare, AMEA (All Manipur Entrepreneurs Association),
and a proprietor of a small scale industry – Romi Bag Industries.
Sessions focused on information about government schemes,
capacity building and livelihood options for PLHIV. These
expositions provided a platform for SHG members to exhibit
their products and also an opportunity for them to learn about
ways to improve the quality of their products in order to market
them. The Self Help Group members also developed links with
the government officials and private entrepreneurs through the
resource persons who came as panelists for the exposition. . One
of the major outcomes is that a Self Help Group from Thoubal
is in the process of long term collaboration with Romi Bag for
their bags made out of water reeds.
EMPOWERMENT AND HIV
People Living with HIV have the right to live a normal healthy
life like any other person. For this PLHIV needs information
about access to treatment and as well ways to sustain themselves.
Empowerment of PLHIV is crucial to overcome stigma and
discrimination and other problems faced by PLHIV. The theme
of the two days state level exposition organized by Population
Foundation of India, Nagaland state unit was “Empowering
People, Strengthening Networks”. The exposition was organized
in Dimapur Town Hall in collaboration with the Nagaland State
AIDS Control Society (NSACS) and Network of Naga People
Living with HIV/AIDS (NNP+) on 25th and 26th August 2009.
More than one hundred and twenty PLHIV participated in this
exposition. The participants were widows and widowers from
various service delivery points of Nagaland. Dr Neiphi Kire, Project
Director, Nagaland State AIDS Control Society was the Chief
Guest.
This exposition provided them an opportunity to get information
on issues related to HIV/AIDS and livelihood. Various District
Level Networks, Treatment Support Centre, Positive Living Centre
and Community Care Centres established under the ‘Access to
Care and Treatment’ program shared their best practices and lesson
learned.
It motivated PLHIV and recognized the hard work of members
and staffs of various service delivery points under the ACT
program. To encourage them, various competitions were
organized such as games, slogans, posters, music, rangoli,
nutrition role plays and quiz. The participants actively participated
in the competitions and were appreciated by prizes and certificates
Resource persons from NABARD and State Bank of India
explained and informed participants about various schemes
available. Mr Paul, Deputy Manger, SBI facilitated a session on
how PLHIV can access banking, insurance and loan facilities from
banks. He mentioned that small scale industries and agriculturists
can avail loans through Village Development Board. He also
shared loan system for Self Help groups. He also mentioned that
in order to get Corpus Fund, SHGs need to have regular savings
accounts. Ms Guite, Assistant Genral Manager, NABARD,
Dimapur, gave a clear picture on various government schemes
available like Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana, Prime
Minister’s Employment Guarantee Progarm, National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme and schemes of Khandi and
Village Industry Commission and Institute of Rural
Development Planning. For Self help Groups, she explained
training options and livelihood options for fishery, piggery,
bamboo, ginger, forestry, oil, milk, bio mass, pineapple, tea among
others. NABARD and SBI have shown their interest to support
the training on SHGs and IGPs of PLHIV networks.
Indian Network for People Living with
HIV/AIDS
Chennai
Ph: 044- 22254670-74
Freedom Foundation
Bangalore
Ph: 080- 65966445
With Contributions from:
Partners
Confederation of Indian Industry
Gurgaon
Ph: 0124- 4014060-69
EngenderHealth Society
New Delhi
Ph: 011- 26851948/49/50
Hinduathan Latex Family Planning
Promotion Trust
Noida
Ph: 0120- 4673673
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India
New Delhi
011- 23344474
Population Foundation of India - Regional and State Offices
Population Foundation of India
B- 28, Qutab Institutional Area
Tara Crescent, New Delhi- 110016
Ph: 011- 43894100, Fax: 43894199
E-mail: popfound@sify.com
Website: www.popfound.org
PFI- Andhra Pradesh
Ph: 040- 65999770
E-mail: pfiapsco@yahoo.com
pfiapsco@gmail.com
PFI- Tamil Nadu
Ph: 044- 24329074
E- mail: pfichennai@gmail.com
PFI- Karnataka
Ph: 080-41285706
E-mail: pfibangalore@gmail.com
PFI- Manipur
Ph: 0385-2445072
E-mail: pfimanipur@rediffmail.com
PFI- Maharashtra
Ph: 022- 65029710
E-mail: mahapfi@gmail.com
PFI- Nagaland
Ph: 03862- 234009
E-mail: popfound_nagaland2yahoo.co.in
PFI- Rajasthan
Ph: 0141- 2210680
E-mail: pfirajasthan@gmail.com
PFI- Madhya Pradesh
Ph: 0755- 2550647
E-mail: pfi.madhyapradesh@gmail.com
PFI- Uttar Pradesh
Ph: 0522- 2353838
E- mail: pfiuttarpradesh@ gmail.com