DAPCU Surat (Gujarat) Response to the Theme : DAPCU's role in addressing stigma and discrimination and mobilizing support for high risk groups and people living with HIV

DAPCU Surat would like to share a case study that demonstrates the steps taken to mobilize support and address stigma and discrimination faced by high risk groups and people living with HIV.

A woman working in the Mid-Day Meal Programme at a Primary School for the past six years was asked by the school Principal to submit a medical report for renewing her contract. When the woman disclosed her HIV positive status, the school Principal and Deputy Mamlatdar of Taluka Panchayat refused to renew her contract. The woman contacted the ICTC Counsellor who reported the matter to DAPCU Surat and District Level Network. DAPCU team in coordination with District Level Network made a joint visit to meet the school authorities and Taluka Development Officer and submitted a written complaint.

DAPCU also raised the issue at the DAPCC meeting followed by submission of a written complaint to the District Magistrate and Collector requesting necessary action against the Taluka Development Officer and school Principal. A notice was issued by the District Magistrate and Collector to the Taluka Development Officer and school Principal asking them to explain their position. Upon enquiring this matter and finding no justification for the decision, the District Magistrate and Collector ordered that the woman’s contract as a Mid-Day Meal Worker should be renewed. DAPCU’s persistent efforts helped the woman receive a contract and she continues to work with the Mid-Day Meal Programme performing her role competently.

DAPCU Surat (Gujarat) Response to the Theme : Strategies for reducing Pre - ART LFUs at district

DAPCU Surat has been successful in reducing the number of pre-ART LFU cases by strengthening the tracking system through improved coordination among facilities, regular monitoring, supportive supervision and monthly review meetings. All patients registered for pre-ART undergo a CD4 test every six months. The ART centre Lab Technician maintains a ‘’due list’’ of patients who are due for CD4 testing. This list is prepared from the CD4 laboratory register. If any patient does not visit the ART centre to undergo CD4 test within one week of their due date, they are followed up by phone call to ensure CD4 test is done on the next visit. ICTC centre staff also motivate and support clients during post-test counseling session for ART registration.

Last Five Years Pre - ART LFU cases status of Surat District.

*As per ART Centers data source

DAPCU Surat (Gujarat) Response to the Theme : DAPCU Led Single Window Model

Describe efforts taken or Planned by DAPCU to increase the number of people availing Social  Benefit Schemes in your district in FY 2016-17.

DAPCU Surat functions as a single window for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS to access government social benefit schemes.

Help Desks have been set up at 25 NACP facilities with a display board giving information about schemes available for PLHIVs, CABA and MARPs. DAPCU has organized sensitization programs for staff of NACP facilities and line departments to make them aware of the entitlements of PLHIVs, CABA and MARPs and the problems they face in availing the benefits of schemes.

DAPCU is planning to organize an AADHAR card camp for children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and their parents.

Since the roll out of DLSWM, 2311 applications were received through the Help Desks, of which 2311 have received scheme benefits.

DAPCU Surat response to theme of the month

• Why is Positive Prevention Important?

  Positive Prevention plays an important role in checking the spread of HIV. It contributes to   reduction of burden on General Health Facilities as well as improvement of the health of person living with HIV / AIDS.

• What are the strategies for positive prevention underway in our districts?

We have opted following strategies in our Surat District:

• Pre and Post Test Counseling
• Preventive Counseling
• BCC Activity
• IPC Activity
• Positive Speaker Activity
• More Focus on Partner Notification and Counseling for Discordant Couples.
• Linkages to PLHA with ARTC, CCC and Drop in Centers run by District level Positive Network.
• Linking with Jatan Project (Working for ART Enrolment & providing transportation) also.
• Linkages to PLHA with Social Benefits of Different Govt. Schemes for PLHA.

• What role does the DAPCU play in this regard?

Role of DAPCU Mention Below:

• Demand Generation and Services availability.
• Condom Promotion Activity with HLL (Hindustan Latex Limited)
• Services available to PLHA are in General Health Facilities.
• Meeting with Social Welfare Department of Surat District for providing services of Govt. Schemes to PLHA (People Living with HIV / AIDS).
• Provide Services on Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission.
• Prevention activity of EID program to cover all infants born to Positive mothers.
• Provide Care Support and Treatment services to Adult PLHA and CLHA (Child Living with HIV / AIDS).
• Providing Services with Different Component of NACP in District like Targeted Intervention, ICTC-PPTCT, Blood Safety, STI Clinic, ARTC, CCC and PLHIV Network DLN.
• DAPCU Team Regularly Monitor Supervision with Technical Support to Facilities and ensure Management of Service Delivery.

Surat DAPCU – Response to Question of the Month February 2012 - Facilitating Pre ART Registration

This post was in response to the February 2012 theme

1. For facilitating linkage between ICTC and ART we use ICTC –ART referral form. Quarter portion of this form mentioning name of ART center, patient name, Pre ART number & CD4 count is given to ICTC counselors in our monthly meet of ICTC by ART counselor who also attends this meeting.
2. We have also given mobile numbers of all ICTC counselors to ART centers so sometimes ART staff  also inform through SMS to concern ICTC counselor.
3. PPTCT centers  located near ART centers like Civil hospital & SMIMER hospital send their ORWs along with clients to ART  centers so that LFU chances be minimized.
4. We also have around 14 PMTCT ORWs who take list of LFUs from ICTC centers and follow up HIV positives for referral to ART center. These ORWs are posted at various ICTC centers and they have been assigned duty of LFUs follow up, ANC referral and DBS referral.