Dear Forum Members,

The GIPA declaration states that the greater involvement of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS is ‘critical to ethical and effective national responses to the epidemic’. Conversely, the declaration clearly implies that the absence of GIPA may adversely affect the national responses to HIV/AIDS. As a practitioner in the field of HIV and AIDS, I too believe that involving PLHA can contribute to the organization policies and practices. INP+ and other funding agencies are doing good work in supporting some PLHA support groups in the country. There are some support groups who are also working on their own by doing local resource mobilization.

I have some few thoughts to share to the forum, funding agencies and general public. I invite views on my thoughts.  I know of a support group of PLHA right from its birth. I have seen them growing and the organization where I am working has been nurturing them at the initial stages.  Within a span of years, they got some projects, which is very encouraging. I thought that these will make a great impact in the district (Nagpur) which is ranked second among the high prevalence district of Maharashtra. Nagpur also features in the UNAIDS 2006 report. But it has not

The questions come to my mind because the situation is a real mess. Inspite of giving opportunities to talented, committed and educated PLHAs, some times 2 posts of two different projects is handled by the same person (board member). The group does not seem to have any clarity in the vision or mission.  The members of the support group, some of them who come to the city from far away to get some respite and support are cursing the group. This is obvious as when others become members of a PLHA support group, that they expect them to help them in any situation - be it moral, spiritual, physical or economical. 

The drop in centre is a real show. There is everything but hardly PLHAs visiting them. And there is effort to get more and more projects. The whole situation is sad and I believe that the the organizations supporting this group should see the functioning of this group. Founding members of the group are only enjoying the benefits and only doing superficial work. to show to their supporters. The support group is so averse to have a non-PLHA staff working with them. I understand that if they are well-versed in management of a NGO. I know INP+ is building their capacity, but does it really work in practical. Sometimes even understanding of project management is not there as the reporting templates and requirements of the funding agencies are supposed to be written in English. 

I am faced with some few questions:

1.       How does a PLHA network really supposed to function?

2.       Can person (board members) work in project?

3.       If so, can they also work in other project also?

4.       Can treasuer of the organization work as an outreach worker and at the same time be on the board?

5.       Can wife/husband (PLHA) can both be on the board and work in the project.

6.       How is the membership component handled?

7.       Can an government employee who is full time and doing well, also work in the project

Has NACO or for that matter INP+ has ever thought of these points. I do not know, whether the same has been happening in other support groups in other parts of the country. If it is happening then NACO or INP should take serious note of these happenings and have some strategies developed for support groups of PLHAs? I am not against giving fund to the PLHA support groups, but I am worried as the fund allotted is not spent for the cause and it goes somewhere else. I am pretty sure that GIPA declaration is an essential strategy to fight the pandemic. But if attention is not paid to these issues, then the strategy needs to be re-looked.