DAPCU Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) Response to the Theme : Strategies for reducing ART-LFU at district

DAPCU, Kurnool is one of the A category districts in Andhra Pradesh.  We have been implementing and practicing the following process to link PLHAs to ART center as well as reducing the LFUs in our district with the support of the entire district team.

• DAPCU Kurnool facilitates and conducts meetings with ART Centre and Care and Support Centre (CSC) on fixed dates every month to focus on LFU and MIS cases with the involvement of Network, NGOs and LWS staff.
• We have been conducting LFU Special Drive every year to re-start the LFU, MIS cases, collecting evidence based information on death cases and linking PLHAs with care and support services.
• Mobile Messages (pre-alert) are sent for ART due date, focused on ANC cases with the support of PPP
• Seven Link ART centers have been established at route corner areas in the district.
• Providing free bus pass to PLHIVs and 50% concession to the Attender twice a month with the support of APSRTC. Conducted sensitization for APSRTC bus conductors and depot staff on HIV/AIDS and free bus passes to PLHIVs and avoiding stigma and discrimination.
• DAPCU Kurnool is facilitating access to social security benefit schemes for PLHIVs through DAPCU Led Single Window Model with the support of line departments as well as District Collector.

Sensitization meeting facilitated by DAPCU Kurnool for ART centre and ICTC Counsellors and Mahila Mandali representatives. Participants were sensitized on tracking and reducing LFU cases and importance of taking ART medications without missing any doses.

Kurnool DAPCU Response to the Theme- DAPCUs and Stigma and Discrimination

The District AIDS Prevention & Control Unit, Kurnool had conducted a so many activities for addressing stigma & Discrimination with the involvement of District Level network and all Govt department Key officials and elected political leaders. Dr.U.Rajasubba Rao, Addl. DM&HO (A&L) and Mr.Ali Hyder, District Program Manger, DAPCU contacted Sri.Ramsankar Naik. I.A.S, collector & District Magistrate Kurnool and discussed in detailed on these activities and got approval with detailed action plan.

The following activities were implemented:

1. Conducted community feast with CLHA and PLHAs
2. Setup IEC Stalls at District Head Quarters as well as where the rallies & meetings conducting.
3. Sanitization to all APSRTC Depots staff (Drivers, Conductors and  mechanical  staff)
4. Conducting  Competitions at Educational institutions 

Community Feast (Tiffin) with CLHAs & PLHAs:

The community feast was started at Regional Training centre (Female), Kurnool at 8.30 am with involvement of CLHAs & PLHAS.  In this occasion Sri. S.V.Mohan Reddy, MLC, and Sri.Ramsankar Naik,I.A.S collector & District Magistrate, Kurnool, Dr.U.Rajasubba Rao, ADM&HO(A&L), Smt.Zubeda begum, Project  Director-ICDS,  DAPCU Staff, Network Staff, CCC Staff, PLHAS, CLHAs, TI NGOs, ART Staff, Cultural teams were took part in this program for the purpose of to reduce stigma & discrimination  with the connection of World AIDS DAY-2011 theme.

{Sri.S.V.Mohan Reddy, MLC & Sri .Ramsankar Naik.I.A.S Dist.Collector, CLHAS, PLHAs Participated in Community Fest.}

{Dr. U. Rajasubba Rao, ADM&HO (A&L) & Smt.S.Zubeda begum, Project  Director – ICDS, Kurnool took part}

Role play on Stigma & Discrimination by cultural teams

Sensitization to APSRTC Staff:

The DAPCU conducted a sensitization workshop to all 7 APSRTC Depot Manager including Regional Manager at Kurnool APSRTC Regional training institute on HIV/AIDS, Stigma  & Discrimination  issues  with PLHAs during accepting Buss Passes, which is implementing in A.P state with the co ordination of SERF & APSRTC department.  After completion of this workshop all the depot Managers extended their support and come forwarded voluntarily to conduct the sensitization meeting to their staff depot wise. The following staff involved for conducting the meeting District Level Network, local ICTC, PPTCT, TI Partner staff.  The entire district was covered on war foot base, with this activity the APSRTC sanctioned bus passes to the PLHAS without any discrimination and allowing them with respectable manager.                       

Kurnool supports PLHIV in getting Loans

Financial Support for PLHAs through Mainstreaming

The District AIDS Prevention & Control Unit –DAPCU, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh State take initiative for providing financial support to PLHAs through SC Corporation, Kurnool under Mainstreaming. During DAPCC meeting.   We requested all line department to provide support and give preference to the PLHAs in the Social Welfare schemes and Sri. C. Sudarshan Reddy, I.A.S, Collector & Dist. Magistrate, Kurnool has instructed all Line Departments who are under under social security and district initiative programmes to provide necessary support to the PLHAs for getting benefit on priority basis. 

The DAPCU along with District Level Network approached to the Executive Directors of SC,ST,BC & Minority Finance corporations and we were explained the process, required documents and budgetary provisions for beneficiaries.  The DPM shared this message to the PLHAS through Network, ART & TI NGOs. DLN collected 45 applications along with required documents and submitted to the SC Corporation through proper channel certified by the Addl. District Medical Officer (AIDS & Leprosy), Kurnool.

As per the list submitted by DAPCU,  the SC corporation did enquiry as per guidelines without breaching confidentiality and get the  report from the concerned MPDOs  regarding their residence etc.  SC Corporation sanctioned financial support Rs.30,000/- (Rupees Thirty thousand only) for each individual PLHAs and list consist of 24+13=37 PLHAS was shared for final certification and approval. The ADM&HO & DPM verified, certified and submitted to the SC Corporation on the same day.  

The Assets (Loans) overall Rs.11,10,000/- (Rupees  eleven lakhs ten thousand only) were distributed to 37 PLHAs. on the occasion of Birthday celebration of Sri. Babu jagajeevanram on 5^th April,2013 for  24 PLHAs ,  in second spell they  distributed the allotted loans for 13 PLHAs without labeling them as PLHAs on the occasion Sri.Dr.B.R.Ambedkar,  Birthday on 14^th April,2013 in the presence Sri.Sudakar babu, MLC, Sri. Labbi venkataswamy, MLA, Sri.Sudarshan Reddy,I.A.S, Collector & District Magistrate, Kurnool  Sri.Chnadarsekhar Reddy, I.P.S. Superintendent of Police, Kurnool and other dignitaries.