Symposium on HIV/AIDS with stakeholders in Barmer, Rajasthan, India

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

Symposium on HIV/AIDS with stakeholders was hed at Barmer. This event was

organized under Peer Counselor Support Project on 30th of December. The district

level network of Barmer along with CRS and OP Dhara Sansthan had organized this

meeting. The district collector, CM & HO (Chief Medical & Health Officer), PMO

(Principal Medical Officer) District Hospital Barmer, President Rajasthan

Network of Positive People (RNP+) were distinguished speaker of the symposium.

This symposium was a step to advocate for the right of HIV+ people at district

level. The presence of district collector and other health officials have made

this event a grand success in making a conducive environment for people living

with HIV/AIDS. The officials have ensured that there will be no paucity of fund

for this cause and a district level fund will be made for this purpose. The

civil societies and opinion leaders, VCTC's counselor along with HIV+ people

were present in the symposium. The local contribution was used to met the

expense of symposium.

CRS and RNP+ are planning to hold such symposium in other districts also. This

is first of its kind in India. This approach will further strengthen the network

in the district and benefit the people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS.

The main issues which emerge during symposium were as follows:

Counseling and treatment information & education

Medical care and institutional facilities for indoor care

Economical support for travel and medicine

Formation of fund for immediate support to the patients

Providing BPL card to person infected and affected with HIV/AIDS

Provision of 75% concession to patients in state roadways at the district

level and make concession cards

Registration of Barmer Network of Positive People

Network will work closely with CRS’s partners in the district

The district collector and other health officials have ensured that they will

cooperate for this cause to a great extent.

The event was covered in local newspaper and media very widely.

With Regards,

Kumar Vikrant

Partner Support Officer

Catholic Relief Services

A-93, Shiv Marg, Shyam Nagar, Sodala

Jaipur -302019, Rajasthan, India

E-mail: <kumarvikrant_76@...>