AIDS WAR: WHO IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK?

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Friends,

This is an article appeared in Mumbai Times (Times of India), which many may

want to respond. Joy.

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AIDS WAR: ARE NGOs ON THE RIGHT TRACK

Sharmistha Chatterjee

Times News Network

(Mumbai Times, Times of India, December 1, 2001)

Maharashtra has over 1,000 non-governmental oranizations (NGOs) battling

Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Their presence, however, seems

to have done little good as the state continues to have high numbers of

HIV-positive patients. Although NGOs receive over Rs.10 billion in funding,

from overseas (30 percent) and the Central Government (70 percent), barely

10-20 percent of the money is used. Gross misappropriation has prompted the

social wing of the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) to set up

guidelines for running of NGOs and to increase surveillance.

Even though 2.5 percent of Mumbai's population suffers from AIDS, experts

feel the figures the figures are grossly under-reported due to absence of a

recording system. Actual figures could be double the projected figures, say

experts. The large number of AIDS cases has prompted the mushrooming of NGOs

in Mumbai already. Two years ago there were only about 50.

Says Dr.J.K.Maniar of Grant Medical College, " The existence of so many NGOs

doesn't means they are doing a lot of work. Only 20 percent are doing

constructive work. Most of the funds are used for other purposes. " This view

is echoed by a top NACO officer.

Considered fashionable thing to do, people are very quick to associate

themselves with NGOs fighting the disease. " Te battle against AIDS has

attained a glamorous status and it means big money, " says Dr.Aravind J Shah,

senior medical officer, STD Clinic (Asha project). " Most NGOs confine

themselves to seminars and dinners restricted to an elite circle. "

Besides, it is extremely easy to get registered as an AIDS NGO with NACO,

which ensures easy availability of funds. Various societies are set up like

the Maharashtra AIDS Society and Mumbai Districts AIDS Soceity, to

facilitate raising of funds. In addition, the lack of monitoring encourages

fly-by-night operators. Says Dr.Jairaj G.Thanekar, director of the

successful BMC-run Asha Project, " How many NGOs would actually work for the

poor if funds were not easily available? We face severe shortage of funds,

yet we carry on. "

With people shunning tertiary health care centers due to the stigma attached

with HIV, NGOs can play a pivotal role in the battle against AIDS. This

would require a collaborative and focused approach. Says Thanekar, " Together

with the public health care system, NGOs should work towards bringing about

a positive behavioral change in people and providing comprehensive health

package. Both aspects are being completely overlooked. "

The benefits of this approach have already been witnessed. But these

positive contributions have been tarnished by other NGOs. According to

Shilpa Mechant, of Population Services International, " it could be true that

some NGOs don't do their job. But it's wrong to point fingers at all NGOs as

some provide excellent services which go unrecognized. " This view is shared

by Dr.Maninder Setia, of Lokmanya Tilak Hospital: " NGOs have proved very

useful, especially when it comes to counseling patients. This compliments

the public health care system. Public hospitals are some times unable to

provide basic amenities. "

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