Aurangabad DAPCU Response to the Theme- DAPCUs & Stigma and Discrimination

AIDS-related stigma and discrimination is a pervasive problem worldwide. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in India, as elsewhere, face stigma and discrimination in a variety of contexts, including the household, community, workplace, and health care setting. Research in India has shown that stigma and discrimination against HIV-positive people and those perceived to be infected are common in hospitals and act as barriers to seeking and receiving critical treatment and care services.

The District AIDS Prevention & Control Unit, Aurangabad had conducted a so many activities for addressing stigma & Discrimination with the involvement of District Level network and Government department.

Roles and Responsibility of DAPCU with respect to Stigma and discrimination relating to HIV:

DAPCU plays a significant role in reducing Stigma and Discrimination relating to HIV-AIDS in the District in the way of:

• Co-ordination among HIV/AIDS facilities of the district to provide better services to HIV-AIDS positive clients.
• Monitoring and supervision in the district by doing field visits at the HIV/AIDS facilities. 
• Sensitization Programme of Hospital staffs:

            DAPCU had organized full site ICTC Sensitization Program in Districts. The Medical Officers, Staff Nurses and other supportive staff were sensitized in the Program.  

             Objectives of Full Site ICTC sensitization Programme were:

1. Routes of Transmission.
2. Stigma and Discrimination relating to HIV/AIDS.
3. Prevention, control and care on HIV/AIDS.

• Create awareness among students/youths through RRC regarding HIV/AIDS
• Sensitization Programme of Jail staffs:

        Jail Superintendent, Pharmacist, Medical Officer of Jail and other staffs sensitized 

• IEC Activities: 
  District arranged the folk troupe campaign for HIV awareness and to reduce stigma & Discrimination in the society. At healthcare facility DAPCU pasted the hoarding and banners for sensitization of health facility. A big event like RRE also arranged in the district to aware general population
                                  Sensitization Programme of SHG: