A Great work done by a ICTC Ambad, Jalna District, Maharashtra

Good work done by an ICTC Ambad, Jalna district, Maharashtra

Prior to joining at ICTC, SDH Ambad, Jalna District in Maharashtra, Mr. Vijay D Bansode, worked as a counsellor at DIC in Jalna District. With his experience and daily interactions with PLHIV he learned that PLHIV were not able to avail social benefit scheme (SBS) due to various difficulties like, lengthy process, fear of disclosure of identity, illiteracy, lack of knowledge etc. To overcome this obstacle he decided to use his past experience as a DIC counsellor and help PLHIV in access to SBS.

The path was a difficult one as, after many attempts he was able to meet Rationing Officer (RO) and Tehsildar (Revenue officer) of Ambad block. Proper Advocacy was done, during which Counsellor explained the RO and Tehshildar on HIV program and asked them to support and help the PLHIV to avail SBS. Mr Bansode also approached various Heads’ of departments’ for providing SBS to PLHIV and during the same interaction sensitized them to give priority while sanctioning schemes to PLHIV in government offices. Mr Bansode had already prepared list of clients and kept the required documents ready for submission to the RO office for availing SBS (Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana).

After the first round of advocacy, it had become routine monthly activity for the counsellor to prepare a list and submit the proposal to RO office for availing Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana Scheme but the output for this was not forthcoming as expected.

After this successful process of advocacy he decided organise a meeting with RO at ICTC for PLHIVs, this approach was to provide benefit to the more PLHIV in a short time. He coordinated with RO and arranged meeting with PLHIVs for a single window approach for Sanjay Gandhi Nirahdar Yojana, scheme. Thus in a single meeting he was able to facilitate and got sanction for 18 applications on a single day. 

Now the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana is now easily being availed by the PLHIV. This was the initial meeting, he also wishes to plan for another such meeting to ensure that all people identified with HIV in his ICTC are given at least Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana if they are eligible for it.

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DAPCU North Tripura on Facebook

RRC INNOVATIVE YOUTH HEALTH COUNSELLING CELL-By DAPCU Dakshina Kannada-

         In Dakshina Kannada district Red Ribbon Clubs (RRC) Established under NSS units of 64 colleges. Out of which 32 are Pre university colleges and 32 are Degree colleges.  In our district there is active involvement of  RRC members in HIV awareness programmes at different levels. There are many innovative activities by these clubs not only  within the college campus but  also in the field like pamphlet distribution for  the vulnerable groups like auto  and Taxi drivers, and construction workers etc.

       One such innovative programme is Youth Health Counselling Cell (YHCC) In college campus.  During awareness talks for student community , most of the students  never ask some very personal questions in front of others because of shyness. But when  they made to write such questions, many of them ask many serious doubts which need to be answered. So YHCC  gives platform to such doubts by one to one counselling methods.

      It was so planned that a male counsellor will attend only boys and a female counsellor attend girls for this one to one counselling. A day selected by the college officials and DAPCO will be intimated about this,   inturn DAPCO deputes counsellor  to this college .  Also a  Psychiatrist  and a Psycho social worker from the department of Psychiatry  from a medical college  made to join their hands for this purpose. Information   about   this counselling  will be given to  students by RRC members prior  to the programme.  Initially it was planned to have such counselling day twice or thrice in a year in coordination with the RRC of that college.

Besant Women’s college of Mangalore was the first college to hold such programme in their institution . Mr. U. T. Khader  hon. Health & Family welfare minister of Karnataka launched this programme in this college on 3rd February 2014. He appreciated the activity and wanted to  similar programmes in all the colleges during the next academic years. He told  many youth are careless about  their health due to lack of knowledge hence indulge in many high risk activities and substance abuse.  He told YHCC is one such platform to address these issues and thus prevent not only HIV/AIDS but many other illness. 

On this occasion exhibition on hiv/aids also organized. 

In our district  such one to counselling sessions conducted already at 4 colleges. The response from the students was very good.   Medical related issues also linked up with the concerned doctors.  

National AIDS Control Programme IV

Click on the following links: 

• National AIDS Control Support Project

• Safeguard Document

• Goals & Objectives

• Components

• NACP IV Targets

• National AIDS control Programme IV

• Documents Released in NACP IV Launch Function

• Operational Guidelines Regional STI Training, Research, and Reference Laboratories

• Laboratory Manual For Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted and Reproductive Tract Infections

• Operational Guidelines for Care & Support Centres

• National Framework for Joint HIV TB Collaborative Activities

• National Strategic Plan PPTCT

• National Guidelines For PPTCT

Inspirational Post shared by DAPCU, Vizianagaram, AP

A brief note on participation in 

Mainstreaming Workshop at Jaipur on 5th February 2014

Date: 05-02-2014

Venue: Lebue Resort, Jaipur

           As per the communication received from Mainstreaming division, Department of AIDS Control, Delhi, P. Balajee, DPM, Vizianagaram was invited for a consultation workshop towards finalizing the Social Protection Guidelines in NACP-IV on 5th February at Jaipur.  After appropriate approvals and as per the instructions, DPM Vizianagaram reached the venue on 4th February evening. I met Mrs. Elizabeth Michael, Team Leader, Mainstreaming, Dr. Govind Bansal, DAPCU coordinator and Mr. Srikar, Consultant, Mainstreaming, APSACS during the dinner there and we discussed the DAPCUs presentations on which will be presented during workshop on 5th. 

                 The consultation workshop started at 10 am on following day, after registration of all participants, self introduction and some ground rules.  10 DAPCUs as per the recommendation of DAPCU National Resource Team (DNRT) and NTSU and Mainstreaming consultants from all SACS participated in the workshop.

   

The presentations & discussed are as follows:

1. Ms. Elizabeth Michael, Team Leader, Mainstreaming, said about the importance of Social Protection for People Living with HIV/AIDS and their families and its role in NACP IV.  She informed to all about the NACP IV launch on 12th by Union Health Minister. 

2. Dr. Govind Bansal, National DAPCU Coordinator made a presentation on Social Protection Schemes & Social entitlements activities done by the DAPCUs in the country and he also explained the structures in DAPCU and NTSU for the benefit of mainstreaming consultants.    His presentation gave an idea to all participants that DAPCUs are doing and trying to provide benefits of social protection schemes and Social entitlements to PLHIVs in their respective district. 

3. Sri. Chandrashekar Gowda, Director, Swasti made a presentation on the study finding which was done in Madhya Pradesh with a sample size of 800 on social protection schemes & Social entitlements among PLHIVs & HRGs.  His presentations focused more on Help Desk at all level in our programme for counseling, collecting information/documents and approaching concern departments.    The participants also learnt that Help Desk model is more useful and economic for our programme and some of the DAPCU expressed that they are doing it now but not at all levels, but at DAPCU.

4. Experience sharing by DAPCUs:

a. I spoke about various social protection schemes available for PLHIV in Andhra Pradesh as mentioned below:

     i. Rs. 200/- pension for all on ART PLHIVs is being implemented in Andhra Pradesh and APSACS has taken into considerations- all concern of PLHIVs like stigma, transport, transparency and many more into consideration for providing benefit to PLHIVs in AP.  It is implemented by APSACS in collaboration with SERP, DRDA. 

    ii. Bus Passes for all on ART PLHIVs for getting 50% of discount in bus fare for one time in a month to getting ART medicine every month.  It is implemented by APSACS in collabaration with APSRTC. 

   iii. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card are being issued to PLHIVs in AP after issuing a GO by AP Government and DO letters by PD, APSACS to all DCs. But here we take consent of PLHIV for sharing his/her complete information with Civil Supply Department as the Ration Depot dealer will know the status of the beneficiaries.  For implementing this scheme,DAPCU sensitized all Ration Depot Dealers along with Heads of Civil Supply Dept to maintain confidentiality and given instructions through DC.

    iv. 13 GOs & DO letters have been issued in AP for providing Social Welfare Schemes to the PLHIVs for leading dignified life with HIV without any Stigma & Discrimination. 

   v. All District Collectors in Andhra Pradesh are giving priority for providing Welfare Schemes to the PLHIVs. 

   vi. Because of time constraint, I mentioned in brief about many other such initiatives like Foster Care Scheme for orphans through ICDS, Double Nutrition for CLHA/CAA, Double Ration for HIV positive ANCs and SC/ST/BC corporation loans and etc...

   vii. We also tried to show the DAPCUs responses in the country on Social Protection schemes in DAPCUBLOG as I am also one of the volunteers for moderation of the blog but due to technical reasons I couldn't show it online. However, I mentioned that 13 DAPCUs in the country have responded to the theme of Social Protection for PLHIV and the responses are available on web: www.dapcuspeak.blogspot.com for reference. 

b. Participants were impressed very well about the schemes in AP especially Rs. 200/- pension and precautionary measures taken by APSACS.  Participants also felt unhappy about bus pass as the pass is clearly written logo of AIDS and name of APSACS.  For this we mentioned that APSACS is planning to change bus pass design as it was also informed to all DAPCUs in AP. 

5. Later remaining DAPCUs from various states made presentation according to their state specific social protection scheme to the PLHIVs.  The presentations were made by Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Maharashtra. 

6. Later all participants were divided into 5 groups and given a topic that for brainstorming, discussing, proposal and presentation by the team.  The topics are mentioned below.

a. Planning Phase

b. Awareness Creation

c. Enabling Environment

d. Setting up Help Desk at Service Center

e. Monitoring Mechanism

f. Mr. P. Balajee, DPM, Vizianagaram participated in the group  of Awareness Creation, Mrs. Lalitha, DPM, CTTR  in Setting up Help Desk at Service Center and Mr. Srikar, Consultant, Mainstreaming, APSACS in Monitoring Mechanism.  We actively participated and gave inputs to the group activity. 

g. Teams were given formats by facilitators and facilitator sat with teams and teams discussed and wrote inputs in to the format for developing guidelines for Social Protection to PLHIVs in the country.  The inputs of all groups will help the DAC to design the process the how DAPCU implement the Social Protection activity in the district, how to document, how to approach, how to measure and how to monitor the activity.  

h. Later all groups made presentations from AP team Mr. Srikar got the opportunity to represent Monitoring Mechanism team for presentation and he did very well and all participants also recognized that he made presentation well and comprehensive  to all presentations done before.

      This workshop helped DAPCU, SACS and DAC lot to learn lessons from existing strategies and approaches and it will give fruitful results in developing guidelines on Social Protection to PLHIVs and their families.

   

       My heartfelt thanks to DNRT, NTSU, DAC, UNDP, APSACS and DACO, Vizianagaram for their help, support and encouragement for helping me in participating in a national level workshop for a Nobel cause. 

Inspirational post from DAPCU, Mehsana, Gujarat

An Experience DIS DAPCU, Mehsana in Consultation Workshop on finalizing Social Protection Guidelines at Jaipur on 5th February-2014

           On behalf of DAPCU Mehsana I had attended the Consultation Workshop on Social Protection Guideline at Lebua Resort, Jaipur on  5th February-2014. It was an honour to be a part of the team witnessing the first ever national meet. Experience in the Workshop added lots of values and boosted my enthusiasm and courage to work closely for the cause. Lot of things I came to know from the events where I had participated and shared. This will be reflected in the steps taken ahead for my district. Followings are some of my experiences and learning from the Workshop.

               The requirement of National AIDS Control Programme is not confined to care support and treatment but has extended to linkages of the PLHA for social protection scheme. Now the time has came to advocate for various schemes to give humanitarian touch for the people living with HIV AIDS. 

               Although DAPCU in Mehsana have already been involved in facilitating PLHA and HRG to avail schemes still there is long way forward. I came to know about the thematic components, efforts in policy and strategies adopted by different states and nations as well for linkages of PLHA to social protection schemes. 

                This is my first ever participation and exposure in National level Consultation Workshop on Social Protection Guideline which helped me to understand various schemes, policies and strategies to link PLHA in to social protection schemes. It also enriched my knowledge and boosted my confidence to work for the PLHA in my district.I had shared my views and challenges faced in my District during group discussions held during the Workshop for Prepare SP Guideline.During the one days of the Workshop, I met Cosultant Mainstreaming, DACO & DPM  of  Verious  State &  District  and  we discussed about  How to Provide  Benefit  of  social protections schemes to PLHAs and HRGs.I came to know about the  importance given to linkages of  PLHA in to social protection schemes in NACP phase-IV and that all  DAPCUs need to play a pivotal role i,e facilitator for linkages to the schemes.I realized that  DAPCU need to ensure effective mechanism for delivery of social protection schemes.

             

                    My utmost gratitude to Elizabeth Michael,Team Leader, Mainstreaming & Partnerships Dept. of AIDS Control, Delhi for giving me chance to attend the Workshop on Social Protection Guideline and sincere gratefulness to Dr.Govind Bansal DAPCU Coordinator, National Resource Team(DNRT) for  support and confidence imposed on me and nominating my candidature.I must be thankful to our Additional Project Director, GSACS for his Approval to me for Attend the Workshop.

                  The efforts of UNDP and Dept. of AIDS Control, Delhi are really appreciable. This was an important and very good initiative to bring different Sate & District on to one platform to discuss and plan Social Protection Guideline for the People Living with HIV and AIDS & HRGs.

             

Visit of US Ambassador, Visakhapatnam District, AP

US Ambassador visit to DAPCU, Visakhapatnam, AP

              District AIDS Prevention and Control Units are started in March 2009 and received many trainings to perform their duties in HIV Prevention activities. CDC and Share India supporting the DAPCUs in trainings. In his visit to Visakhapatnam U.S. Ambassodor want to see the performance of DAPCUs. 

              To support this visit Dr. J.C. Reddy, JD,BSD, APSACS, Dr. Prabhakar, SPO, Share India, Sri Ramesh Babu, CDC visited the DAPCU ,Visakhapatnam.28-1-14:

              King George Hospital (shortly KGH) is a Government General Hospital located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. The hospital served the needs of north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjacent Orissa for more than 150 years.It was started as civil dispensary in 1845 and upgraded into a 30 bedded hospital in 1857. In 1923 started as King George Hospital and expanded in 27 acres and affiliated to Andhra Medical College. 250 multi speciality blocks with 1023 beds serving the poor patients from neighboring districts as well as states.

        Mr.Michel Mullins interacted with Counsellors and LT, Dr.J.C.Reddy explained about the ICTC services. Patient flow,referral services and types of counseling explained by the staff. Team visited the ICTC and ART labs. Medical officer explained about the functions and daily work load etc.

               After that a small meeting was organized in the seminar hall. American Consul General and his team interacted with DAPCU,ICTC and hospital authorities.  Medical Officer from  ICTC and SRL  Dr.Ramana and Dr.Kalyani, presented their center performances.

  Dr.Ramesh,ADMHO has given a presentation along with DPM
.Explained the prevalence ,new PPTCT programe &results,DAPCU roles and responsibilities,major thrust areas and challenges.

           Sri Michel Mullins asked about the steps  taken to target the 15-35 age group. DPM explained about the mainstreaming activities like AEP,RRE and Police sensitization programmes and the results. The team has visited the photo exhibition and Medical officers explained about the activities.

ART Center, KGH:

ART Center was established in January 2005. At present (as on 31, December 2013) there are 14,654 People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) got registered for Pre-ART at this center. Of these, 5058 PLHIV are alive and on ART taking medicines. This Centerprovides ART services of 1st line, 2nd line and also has pediatric ART services provided to CLHIV.

The team has visited the ART center. Staff nurse explained about  the  Pre ART registration. Dr.Prathap Reddy,SMO,ART center explained the services available in the ART center. 

 Later he interacted with the ART patient . Her husband is HIV negative and she delivered the child . Her child is recently tested negative for HIV at hthe age of 18 months. She is following the ART and satisfied with the counseling at ART center. 

           Mr.Michel Mullins and his team satisfied with the services at ICTC and ART centers. He appreciated the APSACS,CDC and DAPCU team for their efforts in HIV /AIDS activities. DPMs from Vizianagaram and Srikakulam also participated in the visit. 

          On behalf of DAPCU Dr.Madhusudana Rao,Superintendent,KGH has presentated a momento to Mr.Michel Mullins for his visit to Visakhapatnam to observe the HIV/AIDS prevention activities.

 

          Our sincere thanks to Dr.J.C.Reddy,JD,BSD, Dr.Prabhakar,SPO,Share India and Sri Ramesh Babu,CDC for their physical and moral support during the visit.

Submitted for favour of information. 

                                                            

Response of Adilabad District, AP on World AIDS Day 2013

World AIDS Day  2013 - Observation Adilabad District, AP

        Under the Leadership of Sri.Babu,IAS, District Collector, Adilabad, DAPCU Adilabad has organized World AIDS Day on 1st December 2013. 

On this day, we have observed 3 programmes: 

1. Community Breakfast with 30 Orphan CLHAs, District Officials and Print & Electronic Media people (includes Care takers of CLHAs)

          On this day, we have organized a "Community Breakfast” with HIV infected/affected orphan children, 30 District Officials and 45 Print & Electronic Media people at Collector's Camp office. Sri. Chandraiah, High Court Judge, Andhra Pradesh, has attended as a Chief Guest to the programme. 

          In the program, District Collector & High Court Judge had interacted with the CLHAs and their care takers. During their interaction they came to know many of their issues like Education, employment, housing, health etc. Immediately, the District Collector has instructed the concern Department heads to look into their problems. Sri Chandraiah, High Court Judge, has spoken many affectionate words towards the children and encouraged them to study well.

30 District Officials have sponsoring to CLHA/CAA including District Collector, Sri. Babu.A., IAS since from 15th August 2013. After that, all the District Officials had breakfast along with their Sponsored Children and care takers. Inviting Print & Electronic Media directly to the programme is the first time for us. After the Community Breakfast they also felt so happy that they knew more about the CLHAs and their life style. 

2. Massive Rally on Adilabad streets: 

Later, we have conducted a massive rally with nearly 1000 participants of Health, Education, DRDA, NGOs, and Youth etc with placards, banners and slogans. And we had carried a 15 feet HIV Red Ribbon in the rally. For this rally, District Collector flagged off and led the rally up to the Meeting venue. For the first time, in Adilabad, the District Collector walked along with complete rally for 2 kms.  

3. Special Meeting on World AIDS Day: 

After that Rally, we have conducted a Special Meeting on HIV/AIDS sensitization. Guests had given speeches on HIV/AIDS and stressed on Stigma & Discrimination towards the PLHAs. Later, Chief Guest, District Collector, Adilabad had given speech followed by a ‘special pledge’ on ‘commitment and  individual responsibility’ on ‘getting to zero’ of HIV infection in the district.  

At the end of the programme, woolen blankets were distributed to 30 HIV infected/affected orphans and followed by Awards distribution to the staff under DAPCU by the Chief Guest, Sri. Babu,A.,IAS. 

Response of Dakshina Kannada district, Mangalore on World AIDS Day 2013

 

World AIDS Day - 2013

Observed by Dakshin Kannada District, Mangalore, Karnataka

 

       World AIDS Day 2013 was observed in Dakshina Kannada district, Mangalore on 01-12-2013 at Sri Ramakrishna College Mangalore. This programme was jointly organized by District AIDS prevention control unit (DAPCU), all the Red ribbon clubs (RRC) of Mangalore city limit colleges and NGOs.

     

             An awareness jatha about HIV /AIDS was held where more than 500 students from various colleges participated. This jatha was inaugurated by Dr. Ramakrishna Rao, District Health Officer. The jatha started from Balmatta circle to Ramakrishna College.

   

          The stage programme was inaugurated by Mr. U.T. Khader   hon. Health and Family welfare minister of Karnataka by lighting the lamps. He also launched the a month long folk awareness campaign on this occasion.

          An informative session on Youth and HIV and Psycho social aspects was taken by Dr.P. S. Bhat,  a famous psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatry , K S Hegde Medical College. He answered many doubts and questions raised by students.

               A skit played by the RRC college members about the  youth’s role in preventing the HIV spread.  A folk show (jade kolata) was  played by the folk team from Karwar. College principal, NSS university coordinator, District medical officer are the other dignitaries present on the dias. 

     

            In the afternoon in association with Rotary club of Mangalore, a quiz competition was held for the public at Big Bazar Bharat Mall. Twenty five questions were asked about the basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS for the customers of Big Bazar and attractive gifts were distributed for the correct answers.

DAPCU Khordha DPM's Experience of First International Conference on HIV Sensitive Social Protection

An Experience of

First International Conference on HIV Sensitive Social Protection- Delhi

On behalf of DAPCU ODISHA I had attended the First International Conference on HIV sensitive social protection at Delhi on December 11-12, 2013. It was an honour to be a part of the team witnessing the first ever international meet. Experience in the conference added lots of values and boosted  my enthusiasm and courage to work closely for the cause. Lot of things I came to know from the events where I had participated and shared. This will be reflected in the steps taken ahead for my district. Followings are some of my experiences and learning from the conference.

The requirement of National AIDS Control Programme is not confined to   care support and treatment but has extended to linkages of the PLHA for social protection scheme. Now the time has came to advocate for various schemes to give humanitarian touch for the people living with HIV AIDS.

Although DAPCUs in Odisha have already been involved in facilitating PLHA and HRG to avail schemes still there is long way forward. I came to know about the thematic components, efforts in policy and strategies adopted by different states and nations as well for linkages of PLHA to social protection schemes. 

This is my first ever participation and exposure in International Conference which helped me to understand various schemes, policies and strategies to link PLHA in to social protection schemes. It also enriched my knowledge and boosted my confidence to work for the PLHA in my district. I had shared my views and challenges faced in my District and state during group discussions held during the conference. During the two days of the conference, I met DPMs of DAPCU AP, Delhi and Maharastra and we discussed about innovative programmes and the strategies adopted in different parts of the country to facilitate PLHA and HRG to access social protections schemes. DPM of Maharastra explained regarding inclusion of HRGs in voter list and facilitating to providing voter ID to them, in coordination with concerned department. I realized that, the same strategy can be adopted in my district also. I came to know about the  importance given to linkages of PLHA in to social protection schemes in NACP phase -4 and that all DAPCUs need to play a vital role i,e facilitator for linkages to the schemes. I realized that DAPCU need to ensure effective mechanism for delivery of social protection schemes.

My utmost gratitude to Dr. N. Goel , Dy Director General, Dept. of AIDS Control, Delhi and mainstreaming division for giving me chance to attend the conference and sincere gratefulness to DAPCU National Resource Team(DNRT) for ,support and confidence imposed on me and nominating my candidature. I must be thankful to my Project Director, OSACS for his kind support.

The efforts of UNDP and Dept. of AIDS Control, Delhi are really appreciable. This was an important and very good initiative to bring different nations on to one platform to discuss and plan for the People Living with HIV and AIDS. Hope these efforts would continue in future.