Re: Stigma & discrimination of PLWHAs in Chennai

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum members,

Few days back I send a mail regarding the discrimination and stigma faced by

PLHAs in CHENNAI.

It is not to hurt any one but we have to think seriously what can be done to

this issue. Bcoz in future we are going to face more issues like this, it has to

be reviewed in such a way where the PLHAs get the treatment benefits alone, for

living we have to educate them and give a job placement to them where they are

also get some belonging to wards the community. Also there should be some

policies on the NGOs using the PLHAs for their research and study purpose.

They use the clients there after there is no service given to them so that the

client is left in dark. These NGOs can build the network with other service

providers for further referral service to them which shows lot of care and

support.

Since the staffs are less in numbers in these govt hospitals, where Govt can use

the network groups and NGOs and CBOs to assist the care to them in the center's.

Also care programe to be brought as a priority ,The PLHAs are the sufferer, so

more training to given to them and then bring them to the field to serve.

In the GOVT hospitals the systems Like Consent forms to be created while

admitting the clients and counseling and there should be restriction of the

visitors, to be allowed.

To deal we have to form a net work to address this issue and bring to the

notice to the govt and funders.

More suggestions are needed to address from the forum.

Regards

Varadhan

E-mail: knsvaradhan@...

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum

I don’t like to condemn the arguments presented by Mr. Varadhan as stigma or

discrimination but would like to add some initiatives taken by Indian Network

for People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+) with the support of GHTM authorities for

providing proper Counselling and better services for PLHIVs accessing Tambaram

Sanatorium for testing and treatment.

INP+ run a Project namely Family Counselling Centre Project with the support of

CDC-GAP. The goal of the programme is to enhance the quality of life of PLHIVs

in the country through possible ways of collaboration with GOVT Health

Infrastructure by establishing Family Counselling Centres, Life Focus Centres,

Positive Living Centres and strengthening the PLHIV networks. To this end 2

Family Counselling Centres have been established so far with the support of

concerned authorities of Govt Hospitals. First one was in GHTM, Tambaram,

Chennai and the second one is in Govt. Chest Hospital, Erragadda, Hyderabad. One

significant fact about these 2 hospitals is PLHIV access is very high compared

to any other hospitals in the country.

The initial attempts were effective that in Tambaram FCC there are 12

professional counsellors where INP+ provide 6 of them and others supported by

TANSACS and other NGOs. From the dependable data of INP+ Counsellors it is known

that almost 50 % of the clients coming for counselling are Telugu speaking which

is a major constraint for us that we are forced to recruit multi linguistic

Counsellors.

From the current year’s statistics INP+ could provide so far a total of 21808

Pre-test and 9269 Post-test Counselling sessions through 6 INP+ counsellors.

Also INP+ Counsellors are deputed in the ART Centre and Ward on full time basis

and they are providing counselling in treatment preparedness, adherence and

follow up with out any mess. Also I would like to mention some facts with

evidences that will prove the level of services provided to PLHIVs at GHTM,

Tambaram.

If there is so much discrimination in the GHTM such number of people will not

turn to Tambaram and we have documents showing day by day increase in the

number of PLHIVs. Superentendent of the Hospital has called for further

expansion of the programe for providing care for every single PLHIVs accessing

the Hospital.

People access services through GHTM from various parts of the country including

Karnataka, Andhra, Tamilnadu, Kerala, and even Maharashtra.

Clients are respected and every counseling session is done after getting the

consent from the client and proper follow up is maintained for the PLHIVs by the

counsellors, medical and paramedical staff.

A help desk is placed by INP+ with support of GHTM inside the campus to help the

clients identify and access different services available inside the Hospital.

This was an innovative step by GHTM and INP+ to enhance access to services even

to the rural community and illiterate masses.

Also referrals are made to INP+ affiliated District Level PLHIV networks and

other service providers from GHTM and a supportive resource cum drop-in Centre

(Life Focus Centre) is placed just opposite to the Hospital campus where PLHIV

get information on life after infection, and linkages are made to local/regional

service providers. From GHTM so far 4568 PLHIVs have accessed services at LFC

(Current year) which would have not been possible with out the support of GHTM

authorities and their concern.

Currently 2364 clients are receiving ART (as on Jan 06) at GHTM and there is a

regular increase in this number also.

Group Counselling sessions and Group Education sessions are provided in the

wards for the inpatients, family members and bystanders on a regular basis.

I am mentioning these facts here to substantiate the suggestion of Mr. Varadhan

that in these kinds of issues in spite of complaining each other healthy

linkages only will contribute. We expect your valuable inputs which can be

included in our future programmes.

Prasanthkumar Nellickal

Project Manager

Family Counselling Centre Project

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

Chennai

e-mail: prasanth@...

[Guest guest]

Dear all,

The account of the initiative taken by INP+ seems to

be an encouraging step to counter stigma and provide

some relief to the PLAs.

Mr. Vardhan may be right in his own way but stigma can

only be tackled by countering it in all possible ways

and bringing more confidence in the PLAs to lead a

positive life.

Setting up service and relief centres in hospital

situations infact becomes the first step to counter

stigma since its very open-ness and sheer existence

becomes symbolic to fight and countering prejudice and

hush hushness.

The real further fight though is quite formidable and

a long journey has to be traversed.

In big city situations such settings have done some

positive work. But,at many places the burden to

continue and sustain such services have somehow been

falling to the lot of the +networks. Though here also,

the INP+ seems to be spearheading the drive, but it is

getting good collaboration and participation from

other stake holders. Though not enough, this

significantly paves way for further work in this

formidable area. Once good work begins anywhere, the

momentum can strengthen the effort.

Godspeed!

Sincerely

Amrik Kapoor

NEW DELHI

E-mail: <amriksingh35@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

This message ref: Mr. Prasanthkumar Nellickals posting on 'Stigma &

discrimination of PLWHAs in Chennai'

Thank you for your clarification on the above issue. We are sure if INP+ is

there, it will take all possible measures to reduce stgima and discrimination on

People Living with HIV/AIDS.

But we beg to differ on your statement that " People access services through GHTM

from various parts of the country including Karnataka, Andhra, Tamilnadu,

Kerala, and even Maharashtra " .

May be the other states doing good job with the support of GHTM, but in

Maharashtra we really do not know what is happening. Udaan has been working for

long in Mumbai, Pune, Thane and other district with its partners but till date

we have for the first time heard this word in the context of Maharashtra. We

really do not know the exact work which is being carried out.

We will be happy to get more information regarding this from you so that we can

also access the services for PLHA, being provided under this GHTM Supported

project.

Thanks again,

Best regards,

Ms. Jaya N.

Project Manager

E-mail: <udaantrust@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Members

Thank you for the supportive replies through the forum.

I would like to state once again that I have not condemned any arguments posted

by anybody regarding GHTM. At the same time there needs a clarification that I

have not mentioned anything about the services or the activities at Government

hospitals at Maharashtra which I am not aware of.

But my effort was to speak out the grounds where we collaborate with GHTM and

its features as we try our best for making the services qualitative. As the

situation is people come to GHTM all over from South India as well as

Counselling cases were reported also from Maharashtra how can I change my

statement.

FCC at GHTM had provided Counselling to people from Maharashtra like in the

categories of Migrant labourers and referrals had been made to concerned

networks. Family Counselling Centre is instrumental for an effective referral

programme that we could refer PLHIVs accessing services there to all the

Southern states to their concerned

districts.

Also we are having functional linkages with all PLHIV networks affiliated to

INP+ along the country. Life focus centres are functioning in Tambaram,

Hyderabad and Trivandrum as State resource centres.

So I would like to clarify that my point was to stress that GHTM, Chennai

provides a conducive environment to work with in collaboration which also works

towards quality service for people living with HIV. Our aim is also to provide

better facilities for PLHIV to access treatment and improve the quality of life

of people living with HIV.

Also I would like to appreciate the commitment of GHTM Chennai, in providing

quality service for people living with HIV. Also the project as a whole is not

supported by GHTM. It is supported by CDC-GAP and in GHTM it is a collaboration

for the FCC at Tambaram like Govt. Chest Hospital is collaborating with us in

establishing FCC at Erragadda, Hyderabad. Thank you for the supports.

Prasanthkumar Nellickal

Project Manager, FCC

INP+, Chennai

E-mail: <om_saivam@...>