Re: GIPA and TN: District-level AIDS prevention Managers

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

Every body knows that we have crossed three decades but still the HIV infection

rates keeps on increasing. Under NACP-III (Enabling Environment) it was clearly

mentioned that GIPA is very crucial and must be implemented by everybody in the

HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs.

While talking about GIPA we need to understand that it should be more meaningful

- Meaningful Involvement of PLHA in program/policy decision making process and

not merely an involvement - in the sense appointment of PLHA as an office

assistant or as a attender. Everyone is not born with talents, talents and

skills are developed by the individuals through their interest and commitment.

Capacities of individuals can be built. It is the spark one should have within

oneself - the spark to enhance his/her knowledge/skills. If one has the spark

within himself/herself then it's not a difficult task to build their

capacity/skills. We have lot of PLHA leaders who have the spark within

themselves and who do lot of good work at grass root, district, state and

national level. At the same time it doesn't mean that we don't have PLHA who are

graduates or post graduates.

Identification and recruitment should be done in a non-judgmental manner. GIPA

is meant for PLHA and the ownership should be given to PLHA.

Unfortunately those PLHA who are committed and are willing to raise their voice

and show their face to the community should be mere selection criteria for GIPA.

Once after identifying suitable candidate let SACS build their capacity through

ongoing trainings etc. In a society where stigma and discrimination still

prevails 'Coming Out' openly as positive itself poses several challenges and

problems.

GIPA is the only remedy. Because we the PLHA is responsible for promoting

prevention, care and support to other PLHA. We understand the feelings of PLHA

than others. All the issues such as positive prevention, treatment and care and

support, stigma and discrimination focuses PLHA in such a case the

ownership/greater role should be played by PLHA.

If you are not involving PLHA in a meaningful way then how will you expect a

change? In this regard I would like to mention even though most of the SACS

they are doing much more programs in a successful way. Meaningful Involvement of

PLHA in program/policy decision making process is still lacking. For example if

there are 70 to 100 staffs in each SACS. Where is GIPA? And what decision making

role did PLHA play. In HIV/AIDS field the real meaning of GIPA is to give

program/policy decision making power to PLHA to take ownership for some specific

programs.

DPM or any project staffs sections we need to give opportunity to PLHA. We need

to think and ask questions ourselves why educated PLHA are not coming and

showing their face to the society? What we need to do for that? What is GIPA, I

am asking directly to the NACO and SACS till date how much funds were spent for

HIV prevention? How many PLHA died? Why? For treatment, for poor adherence below

poverty, because of more discrimination etc. In prevention how much effort we

put? Is it possible for one educated or uneducated general public to share their

personal STD problems to their neighbors or to any close friends? Two times or

three times if she/he is sharing immediately then the persons image will go off.

Certainly this is the prevention result.

Involve PLHA, Do the existing programs on HIV/AIDS meaningfully involve

HIV-infected people.

First give opportunity by meaningfully involving PLHA in policy/program decision

making process. Then we can see the result.

Whom ever taking steps along with SACS weather UNICEF/UNIFEM/UNDP or GLOBALLY.

Involve PLHA. Do the HIV/AIDS program with PLHA. Then only we can expect good

results. I am 100% sure about this.

DAVID DAISY,

INP+

e-mail: <daisy@...>