INP+ Completed Seven Years of Advocacy

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INP+ Completed Seven Years of Advocacy

5th April, 2004, Press release

Indian Network for People living with HIV/AIDS (INP+) was founded in

May 6, 1997, by 12 members from various states in India and has

completed seven years. Over these years, INP+ has become a strong

national movement representing the collective voice of 4.8 million

people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in India.

On this day, INP+ looks back and reflects on its accomplishments

while recognizing that there is still a lot that need to be done.

The history of INP+ illustrates the significant progress from being a

support group to a strong activist movement in India. Efficient

leadership in INP+ has played a crucial role in creating visibility

of the HIV epidemic and has presented a positive image of PLHA. The

inception of INP+ at the national level provided inspiration for the

formation of various state level networks in India. These networks

challenge the stigma of the disease, provide critical services and

support for people living with HIV/AIDS, and advocate for the issues

of people living with HIV.

INP+ has 13 affiliated networks in various states: Tamil Nadu, Andhra

Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan,

Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, and West Bengal. INP+ has reached

58 districts through state level networks. Positive Women Network

(PWN+) is part of INP+ and advocates for the issues of women living

with HIV/AIDS.

INP+ can point to many achievements since its inception, including

the following:

• Conducted the first ever needs assessment of PLHA in India

• Developed a strategy for Greater Involvement of People living with

HIV/AIDS (GIPA) in India

• INP+ is represented in the various committees such as the National

AIDS Committee, the UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS, Country Coordinating

Mechanism (CCM) for the Global Fund application, Bill Gates

Foundation and several State AIDS Control governing boards.

• Established positive living centers in the Namakkal District that

serve as a pilot project for provision of comprehensive continuum of

care to PLHA.

• Establishment of Family Counseling Center for PLHA and their

families in the Government Hospital, Thoracic Medicine, Tambaram.

• Advocated for the availability of anti-retroviral drugs in the

public health system that along with the efforts of other

stakeholders lead to the announcement of free access to

antiretroviral treatment (ARV) in high prevalence states. INP+ gave

input to ARV national guidelines and is an important stakeholder in

the mobilization of PLHA on treatment issues, particularly in

relation to treatment adherence.

• Contribution to HIV prevention: HIV-positive speakers by sharing

their experience enhance HIV prevention efforts in the various parts

of India.

INP+ has demonstrated that people living with HIV/AIDS can

significantly contribute towards improving the quality of national

HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs.

On this occasion, INP+ want to acknowledge the support given by

USAID, Family Health International (FHI), National AIDS Control

Organization (NACO) and State AIDS Control Societies (SACS), UNAIDS

(Geneva and India), UNDP, Global Network of People living with

HIV/AIDS, Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, CDC- GAP, International

HIV/AIDS Alliance, Population Foundation of India, World Health

Organization (WHO), International Labor Organization (ILO), Action

AID, DFID, AusAID, Project Concern International, various Non-

Governmental Organizations, and community organizations in India.

INP+ also salute people living with HIV/AIDS who have openly come out

and contributed to the strong movement of people living with HIV/AIDS

in India.

Indian Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+)

Flat No.6, Kash Towers, # 93, South West Boag Road,

T.Nagar, Chennai-600017.

Phone: 044-24329580,24329581,

Fax:04424329582,

Mobile: 09840066386.

E-mail: inpplus@...

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