Orissa: PLHA empowerment- showing results

[Guest guest]

Dear friends!

Kindly go through the news item published in the New Indian Express

and comment.

People with HIV/AIDS live life sans stigma

Monday August 18 2008: Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Hope is beckoning People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) in

the State. They have begun to move ahead in life leaving the stigma

behind. That significantly, they are not afraid of disclosing their

status and ready to do their bit for other PLHAs.

The Orissa State AIDS Control Society (OSACS) has taken the

significant step forward. It has not only appointed a PLHA as

coordinator of an important wing, but also posted another one as a

counsellor at its Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC).

The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) had instructed all the

SACS to reserve the post of greater improvement of people living with

AIDS (GIPA) coordinator for PLHAs. Orissa, however, has not only

reserved it but also appointed one.

Through OSACS initiatives, a network of the positive people have been

formed in 12 districts. ``We are now able to find solutions for our

socio-economic lives and can live with our current status without

stigma and discrimination'' says GIPA Coordinator Ajay Patro, who

also is an engineer by qualification.

It points to the fact that Orissa is changing its attitude towards

PLHAs. In fact, GIPA coordinator's post was reserved for PLHA as per

NACO guidelines, but the position of counsellors at ICTCs is not.

Prasant Sahoo competed with the rest of the candidates and emerged at

the top of the list.

Besides, OSACS is reimbursing minimum transport fare to PLHAs who

avail CD4 testing and ART, courtesy the Indian Red Cross Society,

Ganjam branch. As the only CD4 and functioning ART centre is in

Berhampur, PLHAs availing services there are getting the benefit.

Project Director, OSACS, Parameswar Swain said such moves would go a

long way in giving PLHAs their right. Besides, giving pension to

PLHAs under Madhubabu Pension Yojana will be the first of its kind in

India.

All this has boosted the morale of others and more number of PLHAs

are coming out in open to disclose their status and availing the

services.

Currently, the ART centres operate from three government medical

colleges of the State while another four ART will soon be opened. Two

more drop-in centres are proposed to be opened this year in Balangir

and Bhadrak which come under Category A districts.

______________

Regards

Manoj Kandher

e-mail: manoj_kandher15@...