Dear FORUM,

INP+ acknowledges the services of Churches in PLHIV treatment and their passion
in addressing the concerns and issues of PLHIV through their health and service
facilities across the world.
�
Their support in building our hopes and confidence through prayers and meetings
is noteworthy. Pope Benedict XVI’s message envisages the sphere of
spirituality than condoms.

However condoms are a must for the prevention of HIV. To thousands of people
living with HIV who have resolved to practice positive prevention, condoms are a
practical reality and an easily accessible instrument of prevention.

KK Abraham
President, INP+
e-mail: <ragupathy@...>

The hidden costs of treatment

Free anti-retroviral therapy at government-run centres has improved things for
people living with HIV/AIDS. But there are hidden costs, very few centres, and
poor quality of service, which state governments must take note of, says Ranjita
Biswas

In 2008, the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) announced its decision to
provide second-line treatment of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) to people with
HIV for whom the standard first-line drugs had failed.

The announcement drew much cheer. Since 2004, first-line ART is provided free of
charge at government-designated link centres as per NACO guidelines. People
living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) can collect their medication at these centres, and
also undergo follow-up tests.

However, many people on this treatment � whether in the government programme or
through private clinics � had developed resistance to the first-line drugs and
needed second-line drugs which were far more expensive. So the government
programme offering second-line drugs was welcomed.

However, the realities of treatment are not all that rosy, report many PLHA.
There are many hidden costs involved in obtaining treatment, either because the
government programme has not addressed these so far, or because of the ground
realities of obtaining care in India. Further, with very few centres in rural
areas to distribute the medication, and the desperate scarcity of facilities for
the tests they have to undergo on a regular basis, the term �free treatment� may
be a misnomer.

Around 2003, researcher Rakkee Thimothy conducted a household-level survey on
the economic impact of HIV/AIDS in Kerala. She found that 20% of those
interviewed had spent up to Rs 50,000 on treatment for HIV-related illnesses;
32% had spent between Rs 50,000 and Rs 100,000. A little over 5% had spent Rs
100,000 to Rs 200,000. All this did not include associated costs such as travel.

Twenty-four per cent had used anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs at one time but had
stopped, presumably because they could no longer afford them (this was before
the government started providing ART). An estimated 61.3% bore an economic loss
of between Rs 50,000 and Rs 250,000.

Twelve per cent estimated a loss of between Rs 250,000 and Rs 500,000.
Sixty-five per cent paid their direct costs by selling assets.

Today, the figures may not be as dismal, at least for those who are able to get
their ART from government-run centres. Still, those who can afford private
clinics would rather avoid government centres.
For example, Celina Menezes, president, Delhi Mahila Samiti (Women�s Forum of
Delhi Network of Positive People - DNP+), would rather go to a private clinic
though this means she has to pay for the mandatory tests which costs around Rs
5,000 annually. She has her reasons.

Diagnosed with the disease in 1996, she started on ART in 2008. She gets her
medicine free from AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a Los Angeles-based global
organisation that does advocacy and provides medicine.

�My experience with government centres (All India Institute of Medical Science,
Delhi, in her case) has not been good. I had to go for tests as my gland was
swelling. It took me one whole day only for registration. As for the biopsy
test, though I arrived at 9 am sharp, the first one to do so, I was the last to
be examined -- after 25 other patients. I was told by the technician that as I
am a PLHA they had to take �extra precaution�.

She was on an empty stomach until she was tested because it was necessary for
some tests. Without the presence of friends and family members, the whole
experience was quite traumatic for her.

Menezes says that it is better to take ART from the government centres because
one is assured of a continuous supply of drugs once registered; private clinics
or NGOs may stop supplying the medicine free if there is a funds crunch. Still,
she prefers going to AHF. �The staff at these (government) link centres for ART
are sensitive enough but tests have to be done in other departments and then we
face a lot of problems or are treated not on par with other patients, though
it�s against universal norms concerning PLHA.��

Menezes also spends on the CD4 count test every six months, and that costs
around Rs 1,200. In addition, she gets a viral load done annually. The CD4 count
test is for checking immunity levels while the viral load test (Rs 4,500) is for
checking the levels of the virus in the body. Then there are other tests she
does twice a year like sonography of the abdomen and x- ray of the chest.

In some situations, a biopsy may be advised. All these tests are advised to
monitor the impact of the drugs on the body�s immunity and on levels of the
virus, or to check for opportunistic infections like tuberculosis. These are
done at a private laboratory.

Menezes also spends around Rs 500 a month on some medicines and vitamins because
�nobody supplies vitamins free as far as I know.�

Her doctor has advised the vitamins along with high-protein food. She admits
that those who do not have a regular income find it very difficult to bear these
costs.

Tarit Chakraborty, vice-president of the Bengal Network for People Living with
HIV/AIDS (BNP +), was detected with the infection in 2002 but has been on ART
only since 2007. He also says, �Even if you can get tests done in government
hospitals it�s a long process, and machines often break down. I spend Rs 2,000
on an average every year for these tests but for those who can�t afford it, it�s
quite frustrating.�

Chakraborty obtains ART from the ART centre at the School of Tropical Medicine.
He has had various opportunistic infections and spends an average of Rs 500-600
on medications and multi-vitamins every month.

Some of the medicines are supposed to be supplied by the ART centre but he must
buy them from elsewhere if the centre is out of stock. He spends at least Rs 200
on vitamins prescribed by the ART centre.

Dr Santanu K Tripathi, professor and head, Department of Pharmacology, Burdwan
Medical College in West Bengal says that �just because one is under ART doesn�t
necessarily mean that one has to take vitamins. It depends on the weakness or
state of immunity in the PLHA and a doctor would gauge that.� He cautions that
there is a �culture� of vitamin-adherence among people in general who believe
that vitamins are vital to cure any disease.

There is another problem as well. Dr Tripathi says he has often observed that if
a prescription contains both vitamins and an antibiotic, a PLHA with limited
resources may go for the vitamins first and may postpone buying the complete
course of the prescribed antibiotic.

This may affect the PLHA�s health in the long run. Dr Tripathi is part of an
ongoing study on the cost of healthcare for the common man (not specifically for
HIV/AIDS) and has observed a disturbing trend: �The profit margin for vitamins
or tonics is much higher than, say, antibiotics. Hence there is a �push� factor
encouraging the use of these supplements, sometimes when they are unnecessary.�

For those in the hinterland, there is also the cost of travel to the town/city.
Due to the long queues or for other reasons, a PLHA may not get the medicine
from the ART centre on the same day, and may have to stay back in a hotel,
adding to the expense. Recently, the Indian Railways has started giving a 50%
concession to those who have to travel to get their ART.

But, as Celina Menezes points out, many areas are not well-connected by rail and
people who need ART have to travel by bus. In Rajasthan, bus travellers get a
75% concession while in West Bengal a card is issued for PLHA to travel while
going to collect the medication.

As for the NACO announcement of free provision of second-line drugs for ART in
2008, activists say that there are very few people who have enjoyed the
facility. There is also a bureaucratic snag, Menezes points out: �The rule is
that only a person who got first-line ART in a government clinic is eligible for
second-line.

But prior to 2004 there was no such facility in government centres and people
were on ART in private clinics. So these people now can�t approach government
clinics. At the same time the drugs are very expensive.�

S K Shajahan, secretary, Network of PLHIV, Hooghly district, West Bengal, tested
positive in 2001. Till 2005 he was being treated in private clinics, scraping
together his resources and getting help from friends. �I even thought of
committing suicide before joining the Network, I was so desperate because of the
financial burden.��

He is now on ART (first line) provided by the government, but complains of the
poor service. �We are not getting proper service; this is the experience of many
of our colleagues.

�For example, the drug Septran DS is often not available. �Doctors at ART
centres ask us to buy it from the open market (at Rs 11-Rs 15 per strip) when
government ART centres are supposed to supply it free.�

Septran DS is a prophylactic against opportunistic infections to be given,
Menezes says, if the CD4 count goes below 200 and people have certain symptoms
like coughing due to low immunity levels. However, once the CD4 count reaches
500 it is generally withdrawn.

Dr D N Goswami, joint director, West Bengal State AIDS Prevention & Control
Society (WBSAPCS), contests Shajahan�s statement. �There are enough Septran DS
in stock and we have sent the centre (in Hooghly) a fresh consignment recently,�
he says. However, he does admit that drug shortages do occur.

�The problem is that the list of medicines that have been approved for treatment
of HIV is long.� Doctors in government facilities sometimes prescribe expensive
medications that are not on the government�s list of drugs. To address this
problem, he says, a committee of experts and physicians has been formed to
prepare guidelines to restrict the number of medicines that may be prescribed by
a government clinic.

What about second-line ART not being available? Goswami says that the policy has
been introduced only recently by the government and the process will take some
time to be streamlined. �Besides, the medication is quite costly and this has to
be considered too.�

Currently, about 9,500 PLHA are receiving ART (first- and second-line) in
government institutions in West Bengal, according to the state health department
website.

Kajal Basu (name changed), a counsellor at an NGO in Kolkata is happy with the
available facilities. �I was detected with the infection in 2002 and was put on
ART right away. At that time, I had to spend at least Rs 5,000 per month. I came
to know about free medication only in 2005 and since then I am getting my ART
from the School of Tropical Medicine. My tests are also done there and so my
expenses on that count are nil now.� Fortunately, she does not suffer from any
opportunistic infections at present.

Basu speaks highly of the Jagrity scheme for HIV-positive mothers that WBSAPCS
announced on December 31, 2008. The scheme is meant for expectant PLHA mothers;
they have to be registered in a government ART centre and if the birth takes
place in a government hospital, she gets Rs 1,000 as an incentive, plus other
related costs are free.

It is aimed at preventing mother to child transmission of HIV (as both mother
and child will be given treatment) and also to encourage women to go to
government centres for pre-natal care.

Kajal Basu adds that the service needs improvement. People come from distant
places to get the medication and tests, but sometimes they are turned away
because the machine has broken down, or there is some other problem. �Especially
for people under BPL (below the poverty line) a day�s delay in treatment means
losing a day�s earnings and it can be quite depressing for them.

For this reason, many stop coming to the city for treatment despite knowing the
dangers of not taking their medicines. They simply can�t afford to, as earning
their daily bread to avoid hunger takes priority,� she says.

Though free medication provided by the government is essential, the problems
faced by PLHA on the ground shows that much more streamlining and more sensitive
handling of the issue is required.

(Ranjita Biswas is a journalist based in Kolkata writing mainly on women and
gender issues, HIV/AIDS and environment. She is also Editor of Trans World
Features)

InfoChange News & Features, March 2009
http://www.hivaidsonline.in/index.php/Treatment/the-hidden-costs-of-treatment.ht\
ml

Dear AIDS INDIA E-FORUM,

A couple of months back I was in US. there are no facilities whatso ever
regarding BCG. Children born in US and their Indian parents (NRIs) coming to
India have no knowledge as to how to protect these children.

With TB so rampant in India I am sure a couple of such chidren must be carrying
the infection back to US. The indian Embassy has no provision for such vaccines.
Should be do something about it.

With regards
Yours sincerely

Lt.Col. (Dr.)S.S.Verma (Retd.)
e-mail: <suren_verma@...>
�

PGI turns away HIV positive couple
20 Mar 2009, 0012 hrs IST, Shimona Kanwar, TNN

CHANDIGARH: A day after Vadodara in Gujarat reported the tragic end of an HIV
positive family of four that entered into a suicide pact, the shocking news of a
couple from Sangrur in Punjab being reportedly denied treatment for the same
disease in region's premier health institute emerged on Thursday.

Left speechless at the utter insensitivity of PGI authorities, Sukhpal Singh,
38, and wife Jaspal Kaur, three years younger, have now filed a written
complaint with the drop-in centre for people living with HIV and AIDS at State
AIDS Control Society in Sector 15, Chandigarh, and medical superintendent of
PGI.

After testing positive at a hospital in Patiala, the couple was shown the way to
PGI for hope. "When we came here, doctors turned us away saying that our nearest
anti-retroviral therapy centre was in Patiala's Rajindra Medical College and,
therefore, we should go there," said a disheartened Sukhpal.

Unable to see his sister suffer, Sant Ram Singh, Jaspal?s brother added, "My
sister's condition is worse. She has been ill for the past one week. When we
sought admission in PGI's emergency, we were sent to OPD, which refused her all
tests."

Decrying the turning away of the HIV positive couple in complete violation of
National AIDS Control Organisation guidelines, Vineeta Gupta, director, State
AIDS Control Organization, said, "For patients' convenience, we see to it that
they get treatment in the nearest hospital. That is one reason why HIV patients
are issued transfer cards to hospitals of their choice to maintain data. On no
account can any hospital deny treatment."

Sensing the gravity of the issue, the director added, "Patients can forward
their complaints to our grievance cell that was formed recently to address such
issues and more." On the defensive, PGI denied the allegations. "The patients
have been asked to attend OPD for treatment and their tests will follow," said
Manju Wadwalkar, PGI's official spokesperson. Whether or not any damage control
follows remains to be seen at the institute that caters to patients from
Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

Only recently, PGI had started the second-line treatment of HIV, unavailable
anywhere else in the northern region. Thus, one is left battling the question
whether all this upgradation is of any help until and unless end users are
benefited.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/PGI-turns-away-HIV-positive-couple/art\
icleshow/4289497.cms

AIDS drives a family to commit suicide in Gujarat

2009-03-18 20:03:03/ Gujarat Global News Network, Vadodara

A family of four committed suicide here today. Husband and wife are said to be
suffering from AIDS. The couple made two daughters consume poison and it itself
also used poison for the mass suicide. The family has been identified as Deepak
Hasmukh Panchal (38), Pannaben Panchal (34) and their daughters Divya (13) and
Vaishnavi (4).

Police said that it appeared that the couple which was diagnosed as patients of
HIV positive was tired of long treatment and in frustration.

The woman was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS around four years ago and had been taking
treatment at the SSG Hospital in Vadodara and Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. The
family had also registered with the Vadodara chapter of the Gujarat State
Network for Positive People (GSNP+) nearly eight months ago.

The incident took place in the Ravipark society of Makarpura area of the city.
Neighbours had informed police when there was no movement in the house till late
noon. Police broke open the house and found the bodies of four. Deepak owned two
row houses in the same society and a workshop at GIDC Makarpura, while Pannaben
was a housewife. The two daughters were studying in school.

http://www.gujaratglobal.com/nextSub.php?id=4936&catype=NEWS

77 prison inmates test HIV-positive

MUMBAI: Seventy-seven prisoners in central jails across the state have tested
positive for HIV, the Bombay high court was told recently.

The report of the first survey of the prevalence of HIV among prisoners was
conducted by an HC-appointed committee between October 2008 and February 2009.

Experts, however, say the number could be deceptive as not all the prisoners
were tested for the virus; of the 9,830 incarcerated in the four central jails
at Thane, Pune, Amravati and Nashik, only 2,787 had taken the test. With 77
prisoners testing positive, the prevalence is a high 2.76%, the national average
being less than 1%. The Nashik prison recorded the highest number, with the
figure touching 25.

The two-member panel of Dr Alka Deshpande from J J Hospital and Prakash Sabde,
ex-project director of Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society, have recommended
a series of measures to check the rising number of HIV cases. One of the
suggestions is to screen every new prisoner for HIV and other sexually
transmitted infections.

The panel has also sought setting up of integrated counselling and testing
centres at jails. The other measures include providing anti-retroviral
treatment, conducting awareness drives and training prison medical officers and
nurses. The panel has also asked the authorities to work with NGOs so that
follow-up treatment can be ensured to HIV-positive prisoners released from
jails.

A division bench of CJ Swatanter Kumar and Justice Dhananjay Chandrachud have
asked the state to implement the recommendations.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/77-prison-inmates-test-HIV-positive/ar\
ticleshow/4336898.cms

A movement of 10 yrs.PWN+ has been on improving the quality of life of Women and
Children living with HIV/AIDS in India.

Our vision: Women living with HIV/AIDS and children are all empowered to live a
life of dignity and equality, free from stigma and discrimination.

Our objectives:

To build an active national network of women living with HIV/AIDS, representing
the different states, diverse support groups and collectives from rural, urban
and tribal areas.

To work towards the societal acceptance and social integration of women living
with HIV/AIDS.

To improve service delivery mechanisms and transmission of information on
HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support to women living with and vulnerable to
HIV/AIDS.

To improve access to services for women living with HIV/AIDS in the areas of
counselling, treatment, general health care and drug rehabilitation.


To reduce and eliminate stigma and discrimination, and protect the human rights
of women living with HIV/AIDS in all settings � domestic, community, medical,
employment, educational, political, religious and legal spheres

To provide affirmative action for women living with HIV/AIDS in the areas of
livelihood, employment, vocational training and credit inputs.

To ensure social security and the rights of children infected / affected by HIV,
in all settings � domestic, community, medical, educational, political,
religious and legal spheres.

Our strategies:

We have been working with the above clear objectives and strategies to
accomplish our mission. However, in reality, the scenario is quite different.

Efforts have been made in the past to generate awareness at the State and
District level as well as network with NACO and SACS. One of the prominent
results was the advocacy for establishment of the Drop-in-Centre for positive
women and children that was consolidated through a signature campaign.

Though the process of advocating for services for positive women is on
consistently, the members being a small group, there are issues of resource
constraint that reduces pace of action and implementation.

Human resource is not an issue because we can bank on our women living with HIV,
but financial support is required to accomplish our goal.

A high percentage of women are infected with HIV in India, yet beyond condom
distribution through targeted intervention targeting our sisters who are sex
workers and prescribing the pregnant HIV positive women Nevirapine durgs to
prevent transmission to the child, there are no other preventive services
available to avoid transmission of the virus among women. Moreover,
participation of WLHA is limited in all programmes.

We have been organizing several youth programmes supported by the Common Wealth-
with help of colleges and participation by slums. This effort is towards
reducing stigma from the communities. Thus, some reached women have shown
motivation to go in for testing and has taken preventive measures to avoid
getting infected.

Self-help group programmes have been initiated to generate awareness on
HIV/AIDS, economically support women and this has facilitated motivating women
for testing and identifying women with HIV. For some districts in Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan we have enabled forming HIV positive women�s groups
under the Disability Scheme under the Social Welfare Department and Women and
Child Development Department.

In Tamil Nadu, women as members of the SHGs have set up shops. For example � in
the Villapuram district- there are 7 SHGs, of which 1group has been able to set
up a shop, while the other 5 are in the process of setting up their business
enterprise. These groups and their successful stand has also been a good channel
to spread information to HIV positive women.

However, these are only small programmes and there has been limited support or
encouragement in implementing at the national level � the recognition to support
and involve women living with HIV seems to be a long process.  There is still
dilemma in supporting women living with HIV. This is despite the Asian Report
calling loud to the world that if women are not included in the programme then
the infection rate will further increase.

We understand that �gender� refers to both men and women.

The �gender� issue has been highlighted and is much into debate and discussion
everywhere, but there has been no separate plan for women within the national
programme. Women also have limited accessibility to HIV testing, information on
HIV/AIDS due to prevalence of societal stigma and discrimination.

At this juncture we need to focus on where the �prevention and care� initiative
is directed. Though the infection rate of HIV is high, service available for
women living with HIV is only through the national ARV programme. There are a
number of Reproductive Health issues that has not been addressed. There is an
increase in number of widows and we have identified the emotional, financial
needs that remain unaddressed. Some women continue to live with their positive
husbands and also try to earn their living. They need more support to deal with
domestic violence, property issues and their individual rights. In the early
epidemic there were men who succumbed to death. There is more number of deaths
among women living with HIV which goes totally unnoticed. The fact that no
programme addresses these needs is in itself violation of their basic rights.

Some steps that have been taken by PWN+ for involvement (greater and meaningful)
of positive women:

� Positive Women�s Network was started in 1998 to improve the quality of life of
women and children, fight our rights and sensitize women about our needs

� There are about 5000 members involved in the initiative
�
We celebrated the coming together of positive women and keeping the movement
alive for 10 yrs on World AIDS Day 2008.

�  Everyday at Positive Women Network is a Women�s Day.

However, not even 1% of our vision has been realized. How can all our e-forum
readers help us accomplish the vision for positive women and children? Let�s not
think only of medicine distribution as that will be of only limited help. Let�s
think beyond and see how individuals, NGOs, CBOs can help our positive women
live a healthy and satisfying life. Let�s use this platform for dialogue with
suggestions and views from all.

PWN+ Team (Positive Women Network)
Chennai,
India
e-mail: <poswonet@...>

Dear Forum,

National Level Availability 2nd line drugs
Re: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS-INDIA/message/10074

We agree that access to 2nd line ARV drug is a searious problem of entire HIV+ve
community in various parts of the country.

It was a declaration by the health minister then the system said that we are in
a frame of pilot project in Maharastra & Tamil Nadu . After that on the behalf
of findings consening athourity selected one centre for the roll� out of 2nd
line in U.P.

We were glad to hear that PLHAs of U.P. also will start getting� 2nd line drugs,
but unfortunatly till today the centre is not in a position to disperse 2nd line
drugs to those who are not from the consening districts (Varanasi).

There is a lack of commitment & senstivity shown by the system & till today the
picture�is not clear .� In a series of incident we have lost one of our PLHIV by
the fault of the system & 2-3 are there in a Que.

So wheather we should wait & watch PLHIV dying in a lack of medicine ?

Regards

Kavita
D.N.O
Lucknow Network For Positive People Living with HIV/AIDS
0522-4067849
e-mail: <kavitalnp@...>

Dear Forum members,
�
Please find below the position of Deputy Project Director
�
ORGANISATION - Family Health International
JOB LOCATION  Lucknow
LAST DATE FOR APPLICATION 5 April�
EMAIL hr@...


Family Health International

Family Health International (FHI) is among the world’s largest and most
respected international public health organizations working towards mitigating
the impact of HIV/AIDS in India . FHI is seeking passionate and committed
professional for the position of Deputy Project Director, Urban Reproductive
Health Initiative (URHI).
�
Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (URHI), Uttar Pradesh is the Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation (BMGF) supported five year project that will be implemented in
10 selected cities in UP. Led by Family Health International (FHI), the
Initiative consortium consists of four core partners and six technical
assistance partners.

The Initiative's conceptual framework addresses demand, supply and advocacy
strategies, with capacity building as a cross cutting theme and aims to
significantly increase the contraceptive prevalence rate in four cities in UP.

Deputy Project Director, URHI

The Deputy Project Director will provide technical, programmatic and
administrative leadership to the Initiative. The incumbent will share primary
program management responsibility with the Project Director to ensure successful
implementation and achievement of Initiative goal and objectives in Uttar
Pradesh.

S/he will be assisted by a team of Technical Team Leaders and a Program
Management team will provide programmatic, technical and managerial leadership
for the Initiative. S/he will lead project implementation on the ground to
achieve the program’s objectives; oversee the management of city team; project
budgeting and financial management; forge strong relations with key ministries
and department at the state level and other strategic partners; manage the
consortium; and work with FHI’s administrative and technical support structure
to manage all aspects of the program including strategy, budgets, implementation
and team management.

The position is based in Lucknow with 50% travel within and outside Uttar
Pradesh.
�
Desired Profile
Master's degree in a social or health science or Doctoral degree or equivalent 
with a minimum of ten years of experience in managing, developing and
implementing reproductive health and family planning programs at the national or
state level. Strong program management experience with proven ability to manage
large diverse teams including a team of senior technical and non-technical team
leaders.

A result-oriented approach and proven ability to manage track and coordinate
complex multi-partner large-scale programs. Demonstrated managerial and
leadership skills and ability to provide financial oversight of large budgets.
Strong technical knowledge of family planning and reproductive health will be an
asset. Ability to network and negotiate effectively with a wide range of
stakeholders to achieve the objectives of the program. The position will
particularly require a strong ability to engage and negotiate with senior
government officials at national and state level in India.

Excellent representational and communication skills, with written and oral
proficiency in English and Hindi and a high degree of comfort in dealing with
government, media, academic, corporate, nonprofit and other organizations.
Ability to find innovative solutions to difficult external representation.
Experience of working on Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation funded projects,
including donor requirements and compliance. Work experience in Uttar Pradesh
will be an added advantage.
�
Compensation
Compensation levels at FHI are equivalent to market rates within the development
sector. However, offers shall be based on salary history, relevant experience
and qualifications. Selected candidates will be required to join within one
month of selection. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
�
FHI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified and experienced people living
with HIV/AIDS are encouraged to apply.
�
Vriti Madan
e-mail: <vmadan@...>

Dear AIDS-India Forum,

If you choose to google Priyadarshi Datta in the AIDS-forum you will find how
the New York doctor Dr Romagnoli, afraid of my getting Multiple DR-TB or XDR
(extreme DR-TB) gave me the four drug therapy for twelve months, which was
extended to 18 months, of four drug therapy to kill the TB bacteria without a
skin test, since I already had the BCG vaccine as a baby.

This was prior to HAART drugs coming into the market, in 1992.

Just last week National Public Radio had a call to come up with a 'new vaccine'
for TB which would not take 12 to 18 months to kill the TB germ in humans, since
it is hard to keep track of already sick, AIDS patients, rigorously taking the
TB drugs without fail, so as not to create more drug resistance strains

The BCG vaccine was developed a hundred years ago by Pasteur Institute to stop
passing bovine TB  to humans by pasteurizing milk( a byproduct).

Today in countries like South Africa , India and South East Asia, co-infection
of AIDS and TB has caused complete devastation of humans.

I know of a young doctor in Birmingham, Alabama who specializes in TB/AIDS
co-infection.

This plea goes out to research facilities in India(Pune/Bengaluru) and anywhere,
to find such a vaccine to save millions of people infected by both TB and AIDS.

I am not a doctor, but a PLWHA.

Thank you,
Sincerely,

Priyadarshi Datta (PLWHA)
e-mail: <pdatta@...>

Dear Forum,
�
It is to inform you this is a searious problem of� PLHIV regarding 2nd line drug
. It was a declaration by the health minister on 1st of December for the
dispersment of 2nd line drug on a basis of pilot project of six month in
Maharastra & Tamil Nadu ,�then the HEALTH CARE system said�it is planed to
increase its avilibilty further at more centres in a phased manner but�till
today it  has yet to happen in all the states.

This is a very searius problem PLHIV are dying in a lack of 2nd line drurg , so
it is a alarming sign for the health care system. Time to wake up.�������

Yours sincerely

Rahul Malviya
+91 9415582750
Advocate
e-mail: <solution_saurabh@...>

Dear Sir/Madam,

Sub: State level Consultation on ‘Children & AIDS Policy Framework and
Operational Guidelines on Protection, Care & Support for Children affected by
HIV – March 31 at Chennai

In India, an estimated 70,000 children below the age of 15 years are infected
with HIV (Updated NACO estimates, 2007). An even larger number of children whose
parents are living with, or have died of AIDS have had their childhood redefined
by HIV/AIDS.

The Government of India’s ‘Policy Framework on Children and AIDS – 2007’
seeks to broaden the focus of NACP - III to include and address the specific
needs of children affected with HIV/AIDS.

This Policy Framework adopts a rights based approach and provides a mandate and
framework for government departments at all levels of governance, working for
the welfare of children, to collaborate. The Operational Guidelines outline the
package of services for care and support for children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Alliance India’s CHAHA programme (supported by Global Fund – Round 6) is
working towards extending care and support services to 64,000 children affected
by HIV and their families over the next three years (2011) derives its framework
from the Policy for Children and AIDS.

In June 2008, Alliance conducted a National Consultation with various
stakeholders with an aim to disseminate the policy and operational guidelines,
and to discuss existing services at field level for the children, challenges in
implementing the guidelines and designing strategies to overcome these
challenges.

A major output of the workshop was to arrive at action points which would help
take the discussion forward by identifying areas of collaboration.

In the above context, India HIV/AIDS Alliance along with PWDS and TASOSS is
hosting a State Level Consultation with a two fold objective:

Disseminate the Policy and Operational Guidelines on Protection, Care and
Support for Children affected by HIV/AIDS


Design an advocacy strategy to implement operational guidelines

We would like to invite you to join us on March 31, 2009 at Hotel Breeze,
Poonamalle Road, Chennai to enrich the discussion with your valuable experience.
Please confirm your participation by sending us an e-mail to anilkumar@...

Looking forward to your participation!

Thanking You


With Regards


Anil Kumar. P. K,

Programme Manager,
PWDS HIV/AIDS Programme.
E-MAIL: <pkanilkumar@...>

Dear forum
�
Here is an humble attempt to have children affected� and infeced� by HIV & AIDS
under one umbrella� in this sumer. The event will happen� in Bhopal. There will
be limited seats for the� camp. So interested NGOs and parents� may contact in
this email ID.

It is applicaple only in MP
�
John thomas MSW
Bhopal
e-mail: <tom4youall@...>

Dear Sreeram,

Re: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS-INDIA/message/10068

Yes we doctors trained in Modern Medicine are notorious for giving impractical
advices to patients and it is more so regarding HIV care.Many of the nutritional
guidelines and training also give us theoretically sound but practically
impossible ideas.

And most of the time patients are intelligent enough to ignore them especially
when health workers are from different social strata.

At the same time HIV give us an opportunity to change the� way we see things
There is a need for research to identify or develop a culturally acceptable and
hygienic  nutritional habit for each society.

Regrading the specific question� of eating cooked rice of previous night,
Theoretically it is possible that such food may have bacterial of fungal
contamination.

But what is the reality? If it causes food poisoning it should have beeb known
to us as this practice is widely prevalent for years.

It is important to do a study on the morbidity of patients eating such food,
probably do a microbiological study of such food before suggesting this habit is
bad. This can be done with out any difficulty in any place with basic minimum
facilities.

Regards

Dr Ajith
e-mail: <ajisudha@...>

--
Dr Ajithkumar.K
Asst Professor In Dermatology and Veneriology
Medical college Chest Hospital
MG Kav,Trichur, Kerala ,India
Ph 04872333322 (res)
9447226012

Dear Friends,

Wake Up Pune a coalition of organizations working on HIV in Pune are in the
process of putting together a proposal for the GFATM Round 9.

We have been advised that it is necessary to put together a proposal and plan
that is in sync with the Country Proposal. (This is so that a single integrated
proposal is produced for the country and a situation like Round 8 where the
proposal was rejected as it was too fragmented.)

We therefore request those in the know to share any knowledge that they may have
with regard to The priorities for the India Country Proposal for Round 9 of the
GFATM. The process being adopted for accepting proposals from NGOs and
coalitions.

I am certain that a large number of organizations would benefit from this news
and help make the process as transparent at the country level as it is at the
Global level.

Regards, Lt Col (Dr) Anil Paranjape,
Pune.
e-mail:  <anilvparanjape@...>

Congregation of HIV+ patients sending a strong

MYSORE: Everything was positive about it. Called the `Positive Habba', it was a
congregation of HIV+ patients sending a strong message to society:  that they
are positive about life.

It was a celebration of life for over 400 persons affected by the deadly disease
at the festival organized by Ashodaya and Ashraya Samithi, the NGOs working for
rehabilitation of AIDS patients, on Saturday.

Sex workers from Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra,
Gujarat and West Bengal will be part of the two-day festival. It aims at making
them acceptable in society along with an access to health facilities..

"We also intend to send a message that there are people in the society who care
for them," Fatima, an activist with Ashodaya, said claiming this is the first of
its kind programme in the world. State health secretary Madangopal inaugurated
the habba by signaling a torchlight parade. Madangopal said there is a need to
integrate medical services for HIV +ve patients at the PHC level.

The event will also address a range of issues, including marginalization,
discrimination and health problems faced by sex workers. Cultural events were
also organized in the evening.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mysore/Congregation-of-HIV-patients-sending-a\
-strong/articleshow/4330774.cms

Dear Forum Members

Most of you must be aware that poor people eat rice early morning mixed with
curd and pickle or green chilly, before going out to work (construction sites,
agricultural labour etc.,). This is normally the rice that is cooked the
previous night and preserved for consumption early next morning. This has been
more or less the culture in most parts of our country, more so in the rural
areas.

Of late Medical officers in ART centers are advising poor people living with HIV
not to consume rice cooked the previous night. While the intention of the
doctors may be good, is there any research or study to show people living with
HIV get adversely affected by such food. It is a matter of concern to us as, on
the one hand poor people are unable to cook early in the morning and eat that
food before leaving for work and on the other hand it has been a practice among
most of them to eat rice cooked the previous night. It causes confusion and fear
among PLHIV about whether they should eat rice cooked the previous night (which
they have been doing for years now).

Hygiene and other things considered, can the doctors in the forum comment on how
we should look at such advice, as well-intentioned as it may seem, in the
context of lack of other alternatives. Cultural norms add to this problem as
this eating habit is considered not only “normal” but also “good” by
poor people.

I await comments please.

In solidarity
Sreeram

Sreeram Varadadesikan
e-mail: <setlurs01@...>

Dear Members,

We are pleased to share with you some of the recommedations from the State 
level Public hearing which was help on March 5th 2009 at Trivandram adressing
the concerns on Treatment Issues of women living with HIV/AIDS in Kerala.

The hearing was attended by 24 KPWN+ members representing the districts of
Kozhikode, Malappuram, Alapuzha, Eranakulam and Thiruvananthapuram. The other 21
representatives were from State Commission for Women, Retired Chief Judicial
Magistrate,   KSACS (Kerala AIDS Control Society), Kudumbashree, Counsellors,
social work students and professionals.

Kerala Positive women Network (KPWN+) is an exclusive state network of women
living with HIV that represents issues affecting women and children across the
state. It is a community based, non-profit organization of women living with
HIV/ AIDS which was formed in 2006 by twelve people living with HIV in Kerala.
In order to generate a response from the Kerala Government to end the unhealthy
trend, the Kerala Positive Women�s Network (KPWN+) organized a State level
Public Hearing to address the �Current gaps in the existing health systems and
health care discrimination against Women Living with
HIV/AIDS and facilitate a positive response towards the issue�.

After various round of discussionsand presentaion of individual cases the
following recommendations were made.

1.   Counselling and testing issues

� KSACS should ensure that pre and post-test counseling is carried out
at ICTC centers as per the guidelines laid down by NACO.

� ART centers should also have female counselors with quality time in
providing treatment and counseling.

� Government has to take necessary steps to improve the quality of
counselling provided by counselors as well as doctors. WLH/A need to be provided
comprehensive counselling on safe sex practices, contraception and reproductive
health issues, as well as on nature of treatment, side effects, treatment
adherence, management of infections, diet and other related issues.

� In particular, WLHA need to be informed about Vasectomy and Family Planning
facilities, hence to avoid unnecessary abortions.

� Health personnel should receive suitable training for such
comprehensive and patient-centred counselling.

� Husbands should be provided with counselling on condom use, and the
responsibility for informing and persuading husbands for safe sex should not be
left to the women.

� WLHA may be appointed as peer counsellors for HIV counselling to help provide
need-based and empathetic counselling

� Government should ensure that HIV testing takes place in the early
stages of pregnancy so that those desiring to terminate their pregnancy can do
so within the legally permissible time of gestation.

2.   Treatment issues

� Many WLHA are not able to access treatment in government hospitals
because of the absence of female doctors at STD clinics and ART centers.

Suitable steps may be taken to redress this situation.

� At times, female doctors are available on specific days but WLHA do
not know about this. An effort should be made to inform WLHA on the days of
availability of female doctors at government hospitals.

� All Medical College and Government Hospitals should have a  Neurologist either
on staff or as consultants available on specific days, because many WLHA have
neurological disorders after taking ARV.

�      Medical and nursing colleges should include training on HIV and
stigma-free approaches, and there should also be in-service training for all
staff of health facilities to ensure a stigma-free environment.

� Government should pass an order against stigmatizing and
discriminating WLHA in health facilities. Stern action should be taken
against those who violate this order.

� Confidentiality of test results is an important right that is
guaranteed as per normal procedure ensures. However, it is not uncommon for the
WLH/A HIV status to be publicly displayed in medical prescription sheets leading
to isolation of the individual and at times, even violence. And so Government
ensures that the Confidentiality of the Women should not break at any cost at
any time.

� There should be privacy in Link Centers, since women hesitate to
visit link center to collect medicines.

� The side effects of ARV Drugs are not treated properly for women and
children. Health departments needs to address side effects experienced by WLH/A
and help cope with these, and also provide medicines for opportunistic
infections.

� At present, children are given the same ARV drugs as adults and
mothers are asked to break the tablets and give the appropriate dosage for
children. Children should get pediatric doses or syrups.

� At present, only BPL persons get free services in government health
facilities. But much of the tests and drugs are not affordable to many WLHA and
children. Government should bring an order saying that, APL card holders can
also avail free testing facility related to HIV Treatment at General Hospitals
and Medical College Hospitals.

� Health Department should ensure that all the CD4 machines at  Government and
Medical College Hospitals are in working order.

� Government should ensure that the IInd line ARV drugs and certain
drugs like Fluconocole, Batrim D.S, Vitamin tablets and cough syrup should
available at any time in all Dist. Government hospitals and Medical College
Hospitals.

� Drugs given in ART centres are often changed, and different company�s products
(of the same composition) are given to WLH/A. WLH/A suffer varying side effects
as a result. Government should take necessary steps to not to change the
company.

� It would be desirable if doctors in ART centres are not frequently
changed but are posted in the same center for 2 years, so that  WLHA can
establish rapport.

3.   Support services

� We request KSACS to provide us with training on sexual and
reproductive health issues, treatment adherence and care as .WLH/A.

� Children may be provided with nutritional diets when on ART.

4. Other issues

� Government should take steps to protect PLHA/WLHA from spurious HIV
drugs provided by quacks, causing much harm to WLH/A.

� We request for separate Drop in centers for WLHA in all districts

--
Kerala Positive Women Network (KPWN+)
50/ 2733,  First Floor, Pulickal House,
Bank  Road, Vyttila,
Cochin 19
Phone 0484- 2112068
Website: www.kpwnplus.org

At gay workshop, comic strips promote safe sex
Georgina Maddox
Posted: Mar 21, 2009 at 0236 hrs ISTMumbai

Sometimes it is easier to say difficult things in a humorous way. This is why
comic strips talking of safe sex, HIV awareness and transparency with partners,
are an easier way to get the message through.

Given that the first graphic novel came into being because of some comic strips
drawn for an NGO, graphic art has come full circle.

This Wednesday and Thursday, Delhi-based Sharad Sharma of World Comics India
conducted a three-day �Grassroots Comics� workshop at The Humsafar Trust in
Vakola, an NGO that reaches out to gay, transgendered and MSM (Men who have Sex
with Men) groups in the city.

The participants were encouraged to draw their own comic strips and posters and
spread the message.

�Grassroots comics� are drawn by the people themselves and not by the
artists. So drawing ability is not of primary concern. Participants can share
their stories, incidents or develop some story on information they want to
disseminate using comic posters,� says Sharma, who was in Mumbai to attend a
seminar at Ali Yavar Jung and to conduct this workshop at Humsafar.

At present, the creations are on view at the Humsafar office. �Booklets and
posters are efficient tools when we conduct sensitisation workshops with people
who are not part of the community,� says Urmi, a Trans Gender (TG) person who
works with Humsafar.

The outreach workers who do projects like Josh, Gaurav and Sankalp, were also
part of the cartoon-making workshop. �These are separate units of Humsafar,
involved in various aspects of advocacy for safe sex practices and outreach for
homosexuals. These visuals will give them something concrete to talk with,� says
Girish, who manages the daily workings at the NGO. �There is a hope that we will
get sponsorship to turn these leaflets and posters into a graphic novel,� he
adds.

The cartoons have been drawn in various na�ve art styles, in some cases the
�artists� like Gagan have done this for the first time. �This story about a man
who is married but has a gay partner, brings out the fact that if we are
diagnosed with HIV, one should tell both partners,� says Gangan.

�This one talks about a TG who is a CSW (commercial sex worker). In the story,
she tells her customer to wear a condom, and when he refuses she says �Main
jawan hun lekin naadan nahi (I am young but not na�ve),� says Urmi, with much
glee.

Ravi is not sure if their stories will ever make it to a graphic novel, but  �we
are happy to have done this much,� he says, indicating the posters lovingly
wrapped in cellophane and are ready for the display.

First names have been used to protect the identity of homosexuals)
__________________
Vivek R Anand
e-mail: <avivekr1@...>

Dear Friends,

I am reproducing below a post from Ms Marge Berer regarding the Pope's recent
statement regarding condoms not preventing HIV and possibly increasing the
problem. I thought her comments merit a wider audience and hence am sending it
on to you.

I hope Ms Berer does not take this amiss and therefore am copying this to her
too!

Regards,
Anil

The Pope is, after all, not a public health expert and his views on
condoms should not be given space. He is, however, right about
responsibility, though he would not agree with these words: a much
greater number of people need to practise safer sex if we are to defeat
HIV. That includes the use of condoms with every partner. But safer sex
is also a way of thinking and acting towards one's partner(s). It is
about openness, communication, respect and mutual protection as well as
shared pleasure. Right now, HIV is still winning. For me, the bigger
issue is: why aren't more of us still not putting more effort into
promoting prevention and condoms?

Marge Berer
Editor, Reproductive Health Matters
E-mail: mberer@...
Web (RHM): www.rhmjournal.org.uk

Dear Editor,

I would like to post following news related with starting of ART centre at
district Headquarter Hospital Koraput.

The centre has been inagurated on 11th March 2009, and now patients from
surrounding area can take advantage of the facilities.

The centre is first under PPP model in Orissa started in collaboration with
Ballarpur Industries Limited, NACO and district administartion.

regards,

Dr.Lalita Mahajan
e-mail: harshnil61@...

A movement of 10 yrs ���.PWN+ has been on improving the quality of life of Women
and Children living with HIV/AIDS in India.

Our vision: Women living with HIV/AIDS and children are all empowered to live a
life of dignity and equality, free from stigma and discrimination.

Our objectives:

To build an active national network of women living with HIV/AIDS, representing
the different states, diverse support groups and collectives from rural, urban
and tribal areas.
To work towards the societal acceptance and social integration of women living
with HIV/AIDS.

To improve service delivery mechanisms and transmission of information on
HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support to women living with and vulnerable to
HIV/AIDS.

To improve access to services for women living with HIV/AIDS in the areas of
counselling, treatment, general health care and drug rehabilitation.

To reduce and eliminate stigma and discrimination, and protect the human rights
of women living with HIV/AIDS in all settings � domestic, community, medical,
employment, educational, political, religious and legal spheres

To provide affirmative action for women living with HIV/AIDS in the areas of
livelihood, employment, vocational training and credit inputs.

To ensure social security and the rights of children infected / affected by HIV,
in all settings � domestic, community, medical, educational, political,
religious and legal spheres.

Our strategies:

We have been working with the above clear objectives and strategies to
accomplish our mission. However, in reality, the scenario is quite different.

Efforts have been made in the past to generate awareness at the State and
District level as well as network with NACO and SACS. One of the prominent
results was the advocacy for establishment of the Drop-in-Centre for positive
women and children that was consolidated through a signature campaign.


Though the process of advocating for services for positive women is on
consistently, the members being a small group, there are issues of resource
constraint that reduces pace of action and implementation.

Human resource is not an issue because we can bank on our women living with HIV,
but financial support is required to accomplish our goal.

A high percentage of women are infected with HIV in India, yet beyond condom
distribution through targeted intervention targeting our sisters who are sex
workers and prescribing the pregnant HIV positive women Nevirapine durgs to
prevent transmission to the child, there are no other preventive services
available to avoid transmission of the virus among women. Moreover,
participation of WLHA is limited in all programmes.

We have been organizing several youth programmes supported by the Common Wealth-
with help of colleges and participation by slums. This effort is towards
reducing stigma from the communities. Thus, some reached women have shown
motivation to go in for testing and has taken preventive measures to avoid
getting infected.

Self-help group programmes have been initiated to generate awareness on
HIV/AIDS, economically support women and this has facilitated motivating women
for testing and identifying women with HIV. For some districts in Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan we have enabled forming HIV positive women�s groups
under the Disability Scheme under the Social Welfare Department and Women and
Child Development Department.

In Tamil Nadu, women as members of the SHGs have set up shops. For example � in
the Villapuram district- there are 7 SHGs, of which 1group has been able to set
up a shop, while the other 5 are in the process of setting up their business
enterprise. These groups and their successful stand has also been a good channel
to spread information to HIV positive women.

However, these are only small programmes and there has been limited support or
encouragement in implementing at the national level � the recognition to support
and involve women living with HIV seems to be a long process.  There is still
dilemma in supporting women living with HIV. This is despite the Asian Report
calling loud to the world that if women are not included in the programme then
the infection rate will further increase.

We understand that �gender� refers to both men and women. The �gender� issue has
been highlighted and is much into debate and discussion everywhere, but there
has been no separate plan for women within the national programme. Women also
have limited accessibility to HIV testing, information on HIV/AIDS due to
prevalence of societal stigma and discrimination.

At this juncture we need to focus on where the �prevention and care� initiative
is directed. Though the infection rate of HIV is high, service available for
women living with HIV is only through the national ARV programme. There are a
number of Reproductive Health issues that has not been addressed. There is an
increase in number of widows and we have identified the emotional, financial
needs that remain unaddressed. Some women continue to live with their positive
husbands and also try to earn their living. They need more support to deal with
domestic violence, property issues and their individual rights. In the early
epidemic there were men who succumbed to death.

There is more number of deaths among women living with HIV which goes totally
unnoticed. The fact that no programme addresses these needs is in itself
violation of their basic rights.

Some steps that have been taken by PWN+ for involvement (greater and meaningful)
of positive women:

� Positive Women�s Network was started in 1998 to improve the quality of life of
women and children, fight our rights and sensitize women about our needs

� There are about 5000 members involved in the initiative

We celebrated the coming together of positive women and keeping the movement
alive for 10 yrs on World AIDS Day 2008.

�  Everyday at Positive Women Network is a Women�s Day.

However, not even 1% of our vision has been realized. How can all our e-forum
readers help us accomplish the vision for positive women and children? Let�s not
think only of medicine distribution as that will be of only limited help. Let�s
think beyond and see how individuals, NGOs, CBOs can help our positive women
live a healthy and satisfying life. Let�s use this platform for dialogue with
suggestions and views from all.

PWN+ Team (Positive Women Network)
Chennai,
India

Positive Women Network
e-mail: <poswonet@...>

Dear friend,

Freedom Foundation and the German Foundation for World Population (DSW) are
organizing a:  Workshop on "How to access EC Funding for Reproductive Health
Programmes" in Bangalore, India (April, 27 – 29 2009)

Background

This event takes place within the framework of "Euroleverage", a program
supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which intends to help NGOs
access EC development cooperation funds for reproductive health and poverty
alleviation. This event is the latest in a series of extremely successful
workshops that have already been held in Asia and Africa.

Objectives

The workshop targets non-governmental organizations (NGO) working in the field
of reproductive health, to achieve the objectives of:

1. Providing NGOs with insights on EC funding opportunities, mechanisms & 
priorities regarding development cooperation and reproductive health.

2. Strengthening their skills in developing winning consortia proposals.

The workshop provides user-friendly information on EC funds, application
requirements, and expertise on writing winning proposals to increase access to
reproductive health programmes. Experts from European as well as Indian context
will explain in detail how to successfully access the relevant funds.

Workshop participants will be acquainted with key figures and structures for
funding in India. Through networking opportunities, participants will be able to
expand their chances for successful future operations. Participants will also
receive written documentation on the results of the workshop.

We would like to cordially invite you to participate in this unique event. This
workshop will provide you with valuable tips and tricks on how to finally access
European Community funding. Last but not least, you will meet your peers in your
struggle to improve the life of the people of India, opening a door towards
invaluable networking opportunities.

Participating in this workshop does not guarantee any funding from EU!

Participation criteria: Participants should be fluent in English and their main
roles and tasks should be fundraising (ie no implementing staff such as nurses
or doctors), preferably the Project Manager / Program Directors,  also willing
to work as a consortium to prepare a proposal for EC on RH. Participants should
also have the absorptive capacity to manage EC grants, and also to abide to EC
eligibility criteria and strict accounting rules.

We would like to point out that the main criterion for participation is
commitment to develop joint proposals on upcoming funding opportunities with
other participating organizations.

If your organisation is interested, please send a mail with Registration fee in
the name of “Freedom Foundation” along with an Expression of interest giving
details of your organisation, area of work, technical competence along with the
profile of participants. As there are only limited seats of 20, selection would
be based on ‘first come, first serve’.

Please feel free to contact us if there are any clarifications.

For registration, please mail to madhuri.kv@...


Thank you and warm regards

Dr. Ashok Rau             Karen Hoehn
Executive Trustee, CEO    Vice Executive Director
Freedom Foundation             German Foundation for
	                      World Population


Venue: CEO Centre, Dodda Gubbi Cross
Kothanur PO Box 7747, Bangalore -560077


Start: 8.30 A.M on April, 27th 2009
End: 5.30 P.M on April, 29th 2009


Costs: All cost for travel (Air travel for more than 12 hours journey & 3 tier
AC by train/bus for less than 12 hours journey), will be reimbursed by us upon
the submission of photo copies of the tickets after the workshop. Boarding and
lodging for the dates of the workshop will be taken care. However, participants
will have to pay a nominal fee of Rs. 2000/- as registration fees.

Vacancy for Senior Medical Officer at Freedom Foundation HAART Clinic under
GFATM Round II at Bangalore


Freedom Foundation has been the pioneers of Substance Abuse & HIV/AIDS
interventions in India, especially in the area of comprehensive care & support.
Today the foundation operates from 46 physical sites at various locations in the
4 states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu & Goa. Each location has a
series of interventions linking up the continuum of prevention to care with a
wide spectrum of services. The Foundation’s head office is located at
Bangalore, India.

Freedom Foundation HAART Clinic under GFATM Round II at Bangalore invites
applications for the post of Senior Medical Officer.
Educational qualification is MBBS.
Candidates with 4-5 years of clinical experience or a fellowship in HIV/AIDS
medicine will be given preference.
Salary package will commensurate with qualifications and experience

Interested candidates can forward their resume to: freedomg2@... with a CC
to drnirmala@...

Contact:

Freedom Foundation
No.103, HBR Layout,
1st Stage, Bangalore – 84
Ph: 080-25435231/32
Mail: freedomg2@...
Website : www.thefreedomfoundation.org

Dear all

in sangli district (MHARASHTRA) there was an big programme run which is SPARSH
jeene ki kala, Suported unicef Zilla Parishad Sangli & implemented by mother NGO
Yerala Projects Society sangli.

Under this programme there was 7733 peer educators trained on HIV/AIDS.

They  have established 753 Red Ribbon Clubs (RRC)  were theye working very well
in their villages.

Arvind"
e-mail: <arvind_sawant@...>

Dear Dr. Raman,

Greetings from TANSACS.

It is really encouraging to know that people are aware about the Legal AID Clinic supported by TANSACS.

TANSACS is supporting five Legal Aid Clinics in Namakkal, Dindigul, Madurai, Tirunelveli and Cuddalore districts. These LACs are situated in the Government hospitals. The District Collector selected one positive network in their respective district to run the LAC. The LACs is supported with one Social Worker and two Out Reach Workers as staff. One advocate is deputed by the District Legal Services Authority. The Advocate visits the LAC thrice in a week for two hours on each of those days of visit. The Social Worker will coordinate work with various departments to settle the non legal cases. The Out Reach Workers will do the field work/ activities to render the service to PLHAs.  Once the case is filed, the follow-up action will be taken by the advocate and Social Worker together.

Achievements of Petitions received and settled (Apr2008 - Jan 2009)

TANSACS is planning to establish ten more LACs in Tamil Nadu.

Kindly contact the correct person to get appropriate information. Mr. V. Palani, Consultant (Civil Society & Mainstreaming) who is the nodal person for the project at TANSACS could help in addressing your further queries in connection to LAC.

Dear CCM Members

Greetings from the India-CCM!

This is to inform you that in the view of the forthcoming CCM elections for the
civil society constituency, we have launched a separate election website which
has all the information regarding the election process, registration form as
well as election timeline schedule. The url for the same is

http://www.indiaccm-elections.org/

I would kindly request you to go through this website and distribute this
information amongst your partners as well as the NGO networks that you are
involved with and also spread the word amongst your constituencies for maximum
outreach. The registration status so far is:

� Total NGOs Registered 1013
� NGOs Voting 1013
� NGOs Contesting - 577

Looking forward to your participation and help.

Best Regards

Ashima Mohan
Communication Officer
Secretariat of the India-CCM for
The Global Fund - To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
c/o NACO , 6TH Floor,
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AIDS awareness magazine launched

Gujarti-language publication expands discussion of AIDS to non-English speaking
community

The Times of India/ Thursday, March 19, 2009

Rajkot --- First ever magazine in Gujarati language to spread AIDS prevention
awareness was launched in the city on Thursday.

"There are few magazines on the subject in the country, but most of them are in
English. The way AIDS is spreading among the different segments of the society,
there was a need to start a publication dedicated to AIDS-related details in
vernacular languages," said Arun Dave of AIDS Prevention Club.

He said there are more than 1.45 lakh HIV infected patients in Gujarat, and in
Rajkot district, the figure is around 16,000 which include 6,000-odd in Rajkot
city.

Date Posted: 3/19/2009
http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-southasia.asp?parentid=106080

PGI turns away HIV positive couple
20 Mar 2009, 0012 hrs IST, Shimona Kanwar, TNN

CHANDIGARH: A day after Vadodara in Gujarat reported the tragic end of an HIV
positive family of four that entered into a suicide pact, the shocking  news of
a couple from Sangrur in Punjab being reportedly denied treatment for the same
disease in region’s premier health institute emerged on Thursday.

Left speechless at the utter insensitivity of PGI authorities, Sukhpal Singh,
38, and wife Jaspal Kaur, three years younger, have now filed a written
complaint with the drop-in centre for people living with HIV and AIDS at State
AIDS Control Society in Sector 15, Chandigarh, and medical superintendent of
PGI.

After testing positive at a hospital in Patiala, the couple was shown the way to
PGI for hope. “When we came here, doctors turned us away saying that our
nearest anti-retroviral therapy centre was in Patiala’s Rajindra Medical
College and, therefore, we should go there,” said a disheartened Sukhpal.

Unable to see his sister suffer, Sant Ram Singh, Jaspal?s brother added, “My
sister’s condition is worse. She has been ill for the past one week. When we
sought admission in PGI’s emergency, we were sent to OPD, which refused her
all tests.”

Decrying the turning away of the HIV positive couple in complete violation of
National AIDS Control Organisation guidelines, Vineeta Gupta, director, State
AIDS Control Organization, said, “For patients’ convenience, we see to it
that they get treatment in the nearest hospital. That is one reason why HIV
patients are issued transfer cards to hospitals of their choice to maintain
data. On no account can any hospital deny treatment.”

Sensing the gravity of the issue, the director added, “Patients can forward
their complaints to our grievance cell that was formed recently to address such
issues and more.” On the defensive, PGI denied the allegations.

The patients have been asked to attend OPD for treatment and their tests will
follow,” said Manju Wadwalkar, PGI’s official spokesperson. Whether or not
any damage control follows remains to be seen at the institute that caters to
patients from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

Only recently, PGI had started the second-line treatment of HIV, unavailable
anywhere else in the northern region. Thus, one is left battling the question
whether all this upgradation is of any help until and unless end users are
benefited.
___________________

Ms.Pooja Thakur

President
Chandigarh Network of Positive People (CNP+)
Drop In Center - Int. Hotel, Sector 15A,
Madhya Marg, Chandigarh 160 015.
Tel.: +91-172-2784042
Cell: +91-9316177261
cnppls@...