State level Consultation on ˜Children & AIDS Policy Framework and Operational Guidelines on Protection, Care & Support for Children affected by HIV – March 31 at Chennai

[Guest guest]

Dear Sir/Madam,

Sub: State level Consultation on ‘Children & AIDS Policy Framework and

Operational Guidelines on Protection, Care & Support for Children affected by

HIV – March 31 at Chennai

In India, an estimated 70,000 children below the age of 15 years are infected

with HIV (Updated NACO estimates, 2007). An even larger number of children whose

parents are living with, or have died of AIDS have had their childhood redefined

by HIV/AIDS.

The Government of India’s ‘Policy Framework on Children and AIDS – 2007’

seeks to broaden the focus of NACP - III to include and address the specific

needs of children affected with HIV/AIDS.

This Policy Framework adopts a rights based approach and provides a mandate and

framework for government departments at all levels of governance, working for

the welfare of children, to collaborate. The Operational Guidelines outline the

package of services for care and support for children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Alliance India’s CHAHA programme (supported by Global Fund – Round 6) is

working towards extending care and support services to 64,000 children affected

by HIV and their families over the next three years (2011) derives its framework

from the Policy for Children and AIDS.

In June 2008, Alliance conducted a National Consultation with various

stakeholders with an aim to disseminate the policy and operational guidelines,

and to discuss existing services at field level for the children, challenges in

implementing the guidelines and designing strategies to overcome these

challenges.

A major output of the workshop was to arrive at action points which would help

take the discussion forward by identifying areas of collaboration.

In the above context, India HIV/AIDS Alliance along with PWDS and TASOSS is

hosting a State Level Consultation with a two fold objective:

Disseminate the Policy and Operational Guidelines on Protection, Care and

Support for Children affected by HIV/AIDS

Design an advocacy strategy to implement operational guidelines

We would like to invite you to join us on March 31, 2009 at Hotel Breeze,

Poonamalle Road, Chennai to enrich the discussion with your valuable experience.

Please confirm your participation by sending us an e-mail to anilkumar@...

Looking forward to your participation!

Thanking You

With Regards

Anil Kumar. P. K,

Programme Manager,

PWDS HIV/AIDS Programme.

E-MAIL: <pkanilkumar@...>