Re: Panchayath level intervention for HIV/AIDS in Kerala

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

This posting ref: Mr.Ajith' message on " Panchayath and HIV/AIDS in India "

Mr. Ajith's idea is appreciated and it is appropriate to establish a Panchayath

level Body for HIV/AIDS related programmes in prevention as well as care and

support at local level (but no more " Cell " please). If an initiative is taken

in good spirit with a sustainable approach, it will be supportive and will make

a conducive environment for other agencies working for the same cause as well as

for the local PLHIV networks at District or Taluk/ Mandal Levels.

In Kerala, some NGOs who are implementing PSH Projects (Composite Targeted

Intervention Project of KSACS) has created a working platform with concerned

local Panchayathi Raj Institutions (PRIs) and running programmes in

collaboration. It is visualized as part of Project componets like advocacy and

networking, enabling environment and community mobilization. In those areas,

projects are having good linkages with the Panchayaths (all the 3 tyres) for

various agendas like

Legal support for the intervention among High Risk Behaviour Population (HRBP)

Support for STD/STI management and care linking with local health care systems

President/Standing Committee Chairpersons/Ward Members being lead members in the

Advisory Committee of the Projects.

Linkages with 'Kudumbasree programme' for supporting SHGs set up among

HRB/vulnerable population as part of project activities.

HIV/AIDS specific awareness/orientation/TOT/exhibition programmes at local level

organized either by project or Panchayath with the sessions of trained

personnel.

Including the theme of HIV/AIDS in the Health sector of Annual financial plan

preparation and budgeting for the same.

Support for local resource mobilization and programmes Involvement of Health

Inspectors in the area with the project activities (some times deputed by

authorities)

In a sustainable aspect, it is envisaged for the projects that the componets to

be gradually channeled to the community support groups (either in forms of SHGs,

CBOs etc.) with the support of local governing bodies. If we observe the healthy

relationship established by the projects to this end, it will be helpful to

elicit a plan for activities at Panchayath level.

Involvement of Anganwadi teachers and workers are already there with successful

projects and they are a good support for the projects in many aspects.

They are trained by the project in the basics of HIV/AIDS and are able to spread

the facts into the general community especially the women folk.

Organizing local level awareness programmes involving a number of participants

and providing venue for it.

Being a support for condom programming in supply (both free distribution and

social marketing) and condom education (for correct and consistent usage)

Helping the field staff for identifying and reaching more HRB or vulnerable

population.

It is a fact that their contribution in many areas are unconsidered or not

rewarded properly and it will not be fair even in this kind of an attempt it is

underestimated or not considered. Also there is a good human resource at grass

root level as part of the Literacy Mission those who have received trainings in

basics of HIV/AIDS and having a good linkage with all these systems. But I

didn’t understand what you mean by “Soft Targeted Intervention” in your writing.

I’m of the opinion that more than mere awareness with prevention focus, Local

Governing Bodies should involve programmes for PLHIVs too and there are good

functioning examples for this. There are Panchayaths supporting for the

education of both infected and affected children, supporting for the nutritious

food programme of PLHIV networks etc.

But still there are laggings in major areas like stigma and discrimination,

rights of PLHIVs and access to testing and treatment. So this kind of a planning

should involve programmes in these areas too which needs attention to cater the

needs of both infected and affected population at grass root level. Prevention

should also focus on positive prevention which is not considered or getting

importance in the current programmes.

Planning should not be for tackling only the current issues but upbringing a

futuristic perspective foreseeing the upcoming circumstances in this sector is

what is important. Handling the chronically ill, Palliative care, home based

care, institutional care, support for widows and infected and affected children

are some of the major concerns.

If we can experiment a model programme successfully, clubbing all these

components, it will be a backing for the local level HIV/AIDS programmes to a

great extent. Also apart from getting more funds from outside this forum can

formulate programme and budget to be included in the Health sector of their

annual plan of PRIs.

Here Kerala scenario differs from the other states that through the

decentralization plan PRIs in Kerala have the freedom for grass root level

participatory planning, implementation and monitoring.

I would like to mention here that politics matters and lot of bureaucracy is

involved to make it realistic.

Prasanthkumar Nellickal

Project Manager

Family Counselling Centre Project

Indian Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+)

Chennai

E-mail: prasanth@...