Inauguration of Grievances Redressal Center for PLHA

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

AHF India Cares humbly invite your kind presence at the launch of AHF India

Cares Grievance Redressal Center for PLHA (a nationwide initiative of AHF India

Cares the first of its kind from an HIVAIDS organization in India). The GRCP

will give voice to the voiceless and strive to address grievances of PLHAs in

India to bring forth relief for people living with HIVAIDS in India.

For and on behalf of AHF India Cares Dr Chinkholal Thangsing

The Inaugural of AHF India Cares Grievance Redressal Center for PLHA (GRCP): A

nationwide initiative of AIDS Healthcare Foundation-India Cares

Venue: POSITIVE LOUNGE, AHF India Cares,

S-7, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi-110017

Date & Time: 27.03.2008 (Thursday) 02:30 PM

Programme Schedule

Arrival of the invitees

Registration – 02-30 PM to 03-00 PM

Brief introduction of GRCP by Dr. Mahesh Ganesan, Advocacy Coordinator – 03-00

PM to 03-10 PM

Speech by Mr. Francis De Mello, President, Love Life Society

Speech by Mr. Snehansu Bhaduri, AIDS Activist on second-line treatment – 03-10

PM to 03-15 PM

Brief address by Dr. Chinkholal Thangsing, Asia Pacific Bureau Chief, AHF-Global

– 03-15 PM to 03-20 PM

Brief address by Mr. Avijit Bhattacharjee, Advocate on Record, Supreme Court of

India – 03-20 PM to 03-30 PM

Grievance sharing by AHF India Cares clients – 03-30 PM to 03-40 PM

Vote of Thanks by AHF India Cares Board Member –03-40 PM to 03-45 PM

Followed by Refreshments

---------------------------------

Background

People living with HIVAIDS (PLHA) in India are experiencing many hardships,

harassment and difficulties in their routine life to live in dignity, due to

their sero-positive status in terms of Treatment Accessibility, Education,

Family life, Employment etc. which are intentional for different vested

interests or due to gaps in Government Policies.

They are in a constant move (a few who take this challenge) to get

organizational and legal support to address those issues, but most of the time

they fail to access it and become a victim themselves. Although, there are a few

organizations for legal support, but their services are very limited within

geographical areas and committed for particular objectives, which don’t cover

overall exploitation, harassment and difficulties causing grievances. Ultimately

their grievances remain unaddressed. Their basic Rights are violated.

Description

Often disclosure of HIV status among PLHA is poor due to structural barriers and

lack of assurance from the communities to protect their rights and dignity. AHF

India Cares experienced in treating PLHA communities found maximum grievance

from both public and private healthcare systems. There is no feedback mechanism

designed in the national programme to address grievance from PLHA communities.

In the absence of such a system, Grievance Redressal Center for PLHA (GRCP)

functions as an independent body which will receive grievance from PLHA

communities whose rights have been violated or denied.

The grievances are processed by a team of advisory members in a transparent

manner and necessary follow-up actions are taken before it is disposed. GRCP has

the capacity to link and network with panel of experts including legal,

parliamentarians, government departments, private bodies, media houses, positive

networks, NGO partners, and other agencies to facilitate time-bound action.

Aims and Objectives

GRCP aims to bring together a broad spectrum of communities who have experienced

fear, stigma and discrimination due to their HIV status in different

institutional settings including social, medical, workplace, school, prison etc.

and voice their concerns within social justice framework.

To provide immediate support to PLHA to address and redress their grievances in

their daily life and to claim and realize their basic rights to live in Dignity

both in Government and Private sector through Advocacy and Legal Intervention.

Scope

To provide support to address and redress grievances in Health Sector.

1. In case of refusal/harassment for treatment

2. In case of refusal/harassment for inpatient admission

3. In case of refusal/harassment for surgery

4. In case of refusal/harassment for pathological or other testing and

diagnostic services

5. In case of interruption to get medicines for opportunistic infection or

antiretroviral therapy.

6. In case of interruption in supply of HIV test kits

7. In case of any breach in confidentially

To provide support in Education Sector.

1. In case of refusal/harassment for school/ collage admission

2. In case of isolation in school/collage

3. In case of unequal/ill treatment

To provide support in Employment Sector.

1. In case of refusal/harassment to get employment opportunity

2. In case of harassment in workplace

3. In case of any sort of isolation in workplace

4. In case of refusal to get medical benefit

5. In case of unequal/ill treatment

6. In case of any violation of International HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy

To provide support against Domestic Violence.

1. In case of mental/ physical torture by family member/ relatives/others

2. In case of isolation/harassment

3. In case of any property related issues

4. In case of any monitory issues

5. In case of forceful disclosure

6. In case of public disclosure without consent

To provide support in Legal Sector.

1. In case of any harassment by the police or Govt. security services

2. In case of any unequal/ill treatment

3. In case of any torture or degraded behavior

To provide support against Social Harassment.

1. In case of any social isolation

2. In case of any social disclosure without consent

3. In case of any harassment/objection/forceful act to take part in social

events

To provide support in Transportation Sector

1. In case of any disclosure by any staff of any public transport system after

production of Photo Identity Card to get scheduled concession

2.In case of any isolation in Public transport

3.In case of any unequal behavior/treatment

To provide support in terms of Accommodations.

1.In case of any isolation/harassment by land lord

2. In case of any withdrawal of basic facility by land lord

3. In case of negative/ unequal attitude to provide accommodation

4. In case of any torture or degraded behavior

Expected Outcomes

The primary outcome of the GRCP is to empower PLHA communities to safeguard

their fundamental rights to live in dignity guaranteed under the Indian

Constitution.

Overcome personal inhibitions and speak out for others

To check unjust practices involving denial of basic rights

Right to access to quality treatment, care and support services

Legislation to protect the integrity of whistle blower

Dr Chinkholal Thangsing

Chief Asia Pacific Bureau,

AIDS Healthcare Foundation - Global

S7 Panchsheel Park,

New Delhi 110017 India

+91 11 41745541[O]

+91 11 41745542

+91 11 41745543[Fax]

+91 11 40502142[Direct]

+91 98 18270687[Cell]

chinkholal.thangsing@...

www.aidshealth.org