HIV/AIDS Needs assessment study

[Guest guest]

Dear group,

I am a student of second year post graduate program in health management from

IIHMR (www.iihmr.org) and am highly inclined towards HIV and related

intervention.

As a part of my dissertation research of five month duration, i am interested in

" needs assessment in relation to HIV care " .

As studies had shown that the existing care and support facilities receives the

case in later stage of HIV or almost AIDS cases, the basic purpose of attemting

to get positive peole in main stream- is not being addressed. At the same time

the counselling, care and support facilities are being under utilised.

I want to answer two questions through my study:

WHY HIV INFECTED PEOPLE OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUSPECT OF THE INFECTION, ARE NOT

UTILIZING THE AVAILABLE SERVICES?

WHAT CAN BE DONE, IN A LIMITED RESOURCE CAPACITY, TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO

TESTING,CARE AND SUPPORT FACILITY ?

I do have certain objectives and methodology in consideration and am exploring

for an agency or organization to work with. The response from the group will be

highly beneficial for the ultimate success of my study. Thanks againMayur

MAYUR TRIVEDI

IIHMR

JAIPUR

E-mail: trivedimayur76@...>

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[Guest guest]

Dear Mayur,

Reference your query about why people do not access facilities available. The

Answer is very simple.

You go to any VCTC in Delhi and pretend to be a client who has indulged in high

risk behaviour. Meet how the so called counsellors appointed by the government.

Experience how they treat you, how they give you your results and you will get

your answer. In Delhi earlier 7 NGOs were running a counselling centre

appropriately named the 'Model Counselling Centre' at the Safdarjung Hospital,

New Delhi. This was the only centre in Delhi, to the best of my knowledge which

treated the clients compassionately, gave correct information very patiently and

to the clients' satisfaction. It became so well known only through the word of

mouth that people started coming from all over the country - from Chennai,

Mumbai, Manipur and Kolkata, all over Bihar etc. However the hospital in their

wisdom decided to close it down very arbirarily and in a summary fashion with

effect from 21.10.02.

We are sad, not because of any thing else, except the loss to the Clients who

now do not have this facility to access. You may also like to access the VCTC in

your own town to experience how they treat you. We from the AIDS Awareness Group

hope you have a good experience and that we are proved wrong. I think you will

get your answers from your personal experience.

Good hunting,

With regards,

Siddhartha,From AIDS Awareness Group

E-mail: <aag@...>

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