Re: Interventions for HIV positive children in Gujarat

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

Re: /message/7312

This is in addition to the reported activities at Rajkot(Gujarat)as posted by

Dr.Avnish Jolly.

The useful interventions for facilitating outreach of services to the affected

and infected children have been strengthened in Gujarat.

Three day camps were organized to initiate the process of HIV testing and CD4

testing of children in 9 different cities having teaching hospitals/large civil

(district) hospital(s). They were preceded by a

fortnight long field surveys/activities involving the volunteers from the GSNP+.

The activities were carried out by the GSACS and the GSNP+ with the active

support of the Clinton Foundation and the UNICEF. The Clinton Foundation

provided Rs.200 per young patient to cover the transportation costs from

anywhere in the state.

About 300 children had their CD4 tests done and 135 had their HIV testing done

at the ICTCs functional at the respective centre on 22nd to 24th May,2007.

The outsourced CD4 testing facilities are supplementing the only CD4 testing

facilities in the public sector at the Civil Hospital,Ahmedabad.

The activities have to be carried out on a regular basis and should not be seen

and facilitated as just a one time activities as the regular and sustained

continuum of these services are a must.

Best wishes,

Dr.Rajesh Gopal.

Dr. Rajesh Gopal, MD

Joint Director,

Gujarat State AIDS Control Society (GSACS),

O/1 Block, New Mental Hospital Complex,

Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

PIN 380016

Phone (O) 079-22680211--12--13,22685210 Fax 079-22680214

e-mail: <dr_rajeshg@...>