Abrupt closure of children community care centers in Tamil Nadu

March 23, 2011

Dear forum members,

In Tamilnadu there are 4 children community care centers, sponsored by NACO and

governed by TANSACS since 3 years.

These care centers are caring 50 children either infected with HIV or orphans

and semi orphans of HIV parents.

They are supporeted with good nutrition, education,travel facilities to schools,

ART center registration,follow ups, drug adherence,relaxations, regular medical

care for opportunistic infections by a part time medical consultant and two

trained nurses, three care takers, a counsellor, Programme manager and a cook.

Under such a care almost all children are doing well with their general health,

weight gain, increase in CD4 count and good educational facility.

Now all of a sudden TANSACS orally informed all the centers that these funds are

coming to an end and they are going to close these centers.

They have not even given prior notice about this or any written orders.

The staffs of these centers were informed orally to stop their work after March

31, 2011, well prior to the completion of phase III of NACO (March 31 st ,2012).

These children are having classes and examinations till the end of April.

Most of these chilren are total orphans and no house or relatives or guardians

to take care of them. Even those, who are having some relatives, are considering

them as burden and not knowing about these children's care to be taken or

importance of ART drugs.

We are not able to imagin what could happen suddenly to all these children. Now

some steps are being taken by the NGOs to raise funds to care few of these

chilren.

But I am haviving my own doubt how far it will be useful in the long run.

Actually chidren are need more care in HIV management.

This is groosly unfare and injustice on the side of NACO to give up these

children suddenly.

This could also happen to the adult PLHAs also in future as already reports from

many parts of the country appeared in AIDS INDIA forum that there is short

supply of drugs and the drugs are not given for a month etc.

HIV management is not a joke. It should be a commited and a dedicated one. So

think before you leap.

Dr S.MURUGAN,

SR HIV CNSULTALNT Physician, Tirunelveli Tamilnadu.

e-mail: <muruganyes@...>

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