Response from Kolhapur DAPCU: DAPCU and Stigma & Discrimination.

HIV is an infection which many people have fears, prejudices or negative attitudes about HIV. Stigma can result in people with HIV being insulted, rejected, gossiped about and excluded from social activities.
      Kolhapur DAPCU is very aggressive and sensitive to sort out and prevent stigma and discrimination issues related to the HIV. Following are the two issues which DAPCU  is able to resolve with the help of district resources.

1. Incidence of Stigma & Discrimination related to HIV/AIDS at Kolhapur District.

A lady PLHIV, Age 30 years, was discriminated by villagers in small town at Kolhapur district. She has two children out of that daughter suffering with HIV. Lady was tested as HIV positive in Civil Hospital, Kolhapur & She has Pre ART registration also. Lady was working as an Aanganwadi Helper at LONGHE village, Taluka – Gaganbawada, District Kolhapur. But she had harassed for HIV disease from localized, since last 6 months. The villagers of LONGHE prohibited her from work as an Aanganwadi helper in the school. They also prohibited her daughter in school, due to her HIV status.
 On 6th Oct, 2009, she has reported to NKP+, Kolhapur regarding this. 

Efforts taken by the district machinery.
• This incidence was brought to notice to MLA Mr. Chandradeep Narake, Tahsildar, Sarpanch. etc.
• So health check up campaigned & awareness campaign has been organized by the MLS. ICTC was conducted an awareness campaign in LONGHE village & counseled the villagers.
• The supervisors of the CDPO was addressed and given guidance in the Gramsabha in June, 2010.
• Smt. Vijaya Jadhav, Tahasildar of Gaganbawada tahasil had also taken initiative to aware the villagers about the HIV stigma & discrimination in “Tantamukt” sabha.
• Frequently DAPCU & Partner NGO was taken follow up of same incidence.  That time, the sufferer Sangita confessed that she has no any discrimination in the village. 
• The DAPCU was again planned a Gram Sabha in Longhe village in presence of Tahsildar, CDPO, BDO & district Machinery. The Gram Sabha was conducted on 13th July, 2010. 
• The discussion between villagers & district machinery was very successive. 
• The DAPCU was illuminating the all misconception of villagers about HIV/AIDS. Mostly the questions of villagers were relevant to stigma & discrimination.
• The villagers were ready to provide all right of PLHIV in their village.
• Now she is regularly goes on her duty. Her daughter also studding in same school.

2. Resolution related to Stigma & Discrimination

 The Kodoli village is situated in north east of Kolhapur district. The population of Kodoli village is around 20000. 
 The DAPCU along with partner NGO & Students of Social Work organized various activities in Kodoli village.
 DAPCU is always trying to include HIV/AIDS subject on the agenda of every Gram Sabha.
 Kodoli  Gram panchayat called a Gram Sabha on 26th January, 2011 & passed a resolution that there will not be stigma & discrimination of the PLHA in their village.
                      This is a great success received to Kolhapur DAPCU. 

Kolhapur DAPCU Response to the Theme- Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Services to the HIV Positive Migrants

The critical most part of NACP is the ART Linkages amongst Migrant Population.

Kolhapur DAPCU has linked many inter state migrant cases by coordinating among DAPCUs. e.g. – in the month of June, 2013 an ANC case from Karnataka migrated to Kolhapur. Concerned ICTC counselor shared this information with Belgaum DAPCU and with Karnataka SACS. It was further coordinated with MSACS by KSACS. MSACS forwarded details of the client to Kolhapur DAPCU. The DAPCU shared client’s details with the nearby ICTC counselor where she had been migrated. Finally, this client was traced out by collective efforts of DAPCU and PPTCT NGO. And in such a way linked to Kolhapur GMC ART Center.

Kolhapur District’s NGO, Lotus Medical Foundation migrants project played a vital role in giving preventive measures and has taken innovative efforts to create awareness through social activities.

Along with MSPSS NGO for migrants is also taking special efforts with the help of ICTC staff for STI/HIV screening and doing appreciable work in referral and linkages.

A pilot project is going to be held by NACO and MSACS for seasonal Migrant i.e. sugarcane cutters of Kolhapur District’s Sugar Factories. Preliminary meetings has been done under the chairmanship of  Hon. Project Director, MSACS, Mr. Prakash Sabade, on 17^th April, 2013 in the presence of District Collector, Joint Director, Civil Surgeon, DHO & Labour Welfare Officers from sugar factories. The project will be commenced from 1^st Oct, 2013 for next 6 months. It will cover HIV/ STI/ ANC screening along with routine physical check up.

Celebrating Doctors Day – with a difference in Kolhapur Maharashtra

 We have observed a very high referral for deliveries of positive pregnant women. A major portion of the HIV positive delivery has been conducted in the district hospital. Our assessment through review of cases and interactions with facility staff revealed that the reason to referral was fear of the HIV among doctors.While many other efforts failed to make a major difference we tried a different strategy. and want to share that with all of you.

The Doctor Day is celebrated on 1^st July all over the world. DAPCU team decided with the co-ordination with Sexual Reproductive Health Rights of PLHA (NGO) to make use of this day to spread the message.

The concept was to appreciate the doctors those who have contributed very well for NACP i.e. – the doctors along with the team which conducted HIV positive delivery in their hospital from the beginning of the program. At the initial stage we concentrated on the Government practitioners, ‘working in the PHCs, RH, SDH & Medical College hospitals.  We communicated to the doctors for this event.  The reply from them was encouraging.

We invited to the district key authorities e.g. Civil Surgeon Dr.L.S.Patil, DHO Dr. Vedak, DDHS Dr. Sonawane and Medical Superintends to attend & appreciate to the team by rewarding them with a trophy & certificate as a token of this program. The main object of this event was enhancing to the hospital team & to be great contribution for in the NACP, a kind of positive reinforcement!

On that day, almost 150 person including Doctors, Nurses, Sweepers were there attended the event. Those who received the award were motivated and the others recognized and appreciated their efforts.

Now days we observe that positive deliveries are being conducted in institutions, where this was never done before. Even though only 3-4 deliveries have taken place in set ups previously only referring positive deliveries , it is a big achievement- as this means a change in attitude.

A little appreciation for good practices will help others in adopting the same.

We were very glad that this strategy is showing an impact and we thank the district administration and SRHR for their support.