Positive Living Centre: A model for expanded & comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS.

[Guest guest]

Positive Living Centre: A success model for Expanded & Comprehensive response to

HIV/AIDS.

Dear Forum,

The Positive Living Centre (PLC) project was implemented by HUNS (District Level

PLHA Network - www.hunsnamakkal.org) in April 2003, with the technical support

of Indian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+), PWN+ and financial

support from FHI /USAID. From its inception, the project aimed to holistically

address the needs of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) through a wide range of

care and support services. The inclusion of PLHA at all decision-making levels

was prioritized as a key facet of the implementation process.

Currently, more than 60% of staff members are themselves HIV-positive,

illustrating a strong commitment to the GIPA (Greater Involvement of People

Living with HIV/AIDS) Principle.

Now in the third phase of operation, three PLCs established in Namakkal District

– Tamilnadu, India, provide a unique and comprehensive complement of services to

1,538 People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) and their family members. The PLC care

and support scheme includes free medical services, psychosocial and outreach

support, community awareness-raising, child and youth enrichment programs, and

resources for economic and legal assistance.

District-level advocacy campaigns, spearheaded by PLC staff members, have

lowered barriers to treatment options (through lobbying efforts for the first

district-level government ART roll-out in India), increased access to government

aid schemes, and reduced HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination at the

community level.

In the face of a growing HIV/AIDS pandemic, the PLC model is being recognized

as a uunique example of the kind of community-based care and support program

that is increasingly in demand. Moreover, the current nation-wide scale-up of

the model (through GFATM round IV), speaks to its efficacy, innovativeness, and

potential large-scale impact.

The advocay efforts of the DLN members with the guidance of INP+ has brought in

a phenominal change in the district in terms of enhanced treatment facilities

at the Govt. health sector at the district level.

The multi-sectoral linkage of the PLC has roped in support from the corporates

like INFOSYS, EMCURE Pharma etc.

Skill building for the district level network members and the PLHA staff

working in the PLC is also done on a regular basis and very recently

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Boston, USA has supported the PLC with 4

laptops. This was facilitated by the volunteer from America India Foundation who

was working with the PLC - Namakkal for one year.

As an initiative of Corporate Social Responsibility, the DLN (HUNS) has gone

into an agreement with EMCURE Pharma to run a ART pharmacy at the District Level

Network office- Namakkal. This will facilitate those who buy the ART drug on

their own to get the drugs at a much subsidised rate, and also indirectly will

increase the treatment adherence (presently most of them miss the doses because

of economic reasons). The pharmacy will be operational very shortly.

PLC model is being recognized as a unique example of the kind of community-based

care and support program that is increasingly in demand. Moreover, the current

nation-wide scale-up of the PLC model (through GFATM round IV), speaks to its

efficacy, innovativeness, and potential large-scale impact.

The advocacy efforts of the DLN members with the effective guidance of INP+ has

brought in a phenomenal change in the district in terms of enhanced treatment

facilities at the Govt. health sector at the district level.

Adding to this the HUNS - DLN is also trying to enhance the treatment adherence

of those who are taking ART through the usage of latest technologies. This

project is being funded by Innovations fund - (UNDP, NACO, INP+)

www.innovationsfund.info.

The multi-sectoral linkage of the PLC has roped in support from the corporate

companies like INFOSYS, EMCURE Pharma etc., in addition to the sustained support

from the local influential and the community members.

Capacity building for the district level network members and the PLHA staff

working in the PLC is also done on a regular basis and very recently

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Boston, USA has supported the PLC with 4

laptops for this purpose. This was facilitated by the volunteer from America

India Foundation who was working with the PLC - Namakkal for one year.

While the project has attained success in numerous areas, the ever-changing

nature of HIV/AIDS requires a highly dynamic response. In this respect, as

members of the PLC team, we are constantly trying to modify our programmatic

approach to better address emerging needs of PLHA.

We take this opportunity to thank all those who are continuously supporting this

PLC which has now become a demonstrated model for GIPA principle.

While the PLC project has attained success in numerous areas, the ever-changing

nature of HIV/AIDS requires a highly dynamic response. In this respect, as

members of the PLC team, we are constantly trying to modify our programmatic

approach to better address emerging needs of PLHA, with the effective and timely

guidance of the INP+ President Mr. K.K. Abraham.

We take this opportunity to thank all those who are continuously supporting this

PLC project, which has now become a demonstrated model for GIPA principle.

INP+, HUNS / PLC will always be willing to share the PLC experiences and we

encourage other district level networks & agencies working for the welfare of

PLHAs to make an exposure visit to the PLC - Namakkal, which has optimally

utilized the time-bound support of FHI/USAID to effectively build the

organization’s capacity to deliver an expanded comprehensive response to the

HIV/AIDS epidemic in the district.

Agencies interested to replicate the PLC model in other parts of the country

may kindly contact INP+, Chennai office (www.inpplus.net).

With regards,

S.Swaminathan

Program Officer – PLC

INP+ Chennai.

e-mail: swamiiyer@...