NACO to terminate 100 HIV+ve Out reach workers

November 7, 2009

7 November 2009 CHANDIGARH: Anshu (name changed) is HIV positive. Her world came

crashing down when she had learned about acquiring the immunity-debilitating

infection 10 years ago. As she mustered courage to move on in life by collecting

the shattered pieces around her, National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) came

along to extend a helping hand with the job of an outreach worker. But today,

once again, her future seems bleak as uncertainty shrouds her employment.

" When I was served a month's notice, I was shocked. The appointment letter had

clearly stated that we would be employed for a year, " said Anshu, who earns Rs

3,000 per month as an outreach worker. She isn't alone. Some 100 HIV positives,

employed by NACO six months ago, are at risk of losing their source of

sustenance.

Under National AIDS Control Programme, Phase-3, NACO for the first time had

employed people living with HIV at Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre to

use their services as counsellors while making them self-reliant. However, in a

recent communication from the ministry of health and family welfare to State

AIDS Control Society (SACS), services of these outreach employees stand to be

terminated by November-end.

While SACS and some local NGOs had been the appointing authority for these

workers, a private agency was now entrusted with the work of employing HIV

positive people for various outreach activities.

Dr Damodar Bachani, deputy director general, NACO, Delhi, said, " India has been

sanctioned Rolling Continuation Channel (Switzerland-based global funding agency

under public-private partnership for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria) aid for

outreach activities. Though a private agency has been hired for the purpose, our

endeavour will be to retain those who are already employed. "

As uncertainty looms over reappointments, Vanita Gupta, director, SACS,

Chandigarh, said, " We have received a communication from the ministry but our

efforts will be to let efficient workers continue. "

Not taking kindly to this move, seen more as a hindrance than an aid, Rajesh

Gopal, joint project director, SACS, Gujarat, noted, " The purpose of this

outsourcing is not known... it seems it will deny easy accessibility to the

needy.

sk-losing-jobs/articleshow/5204771.cms "

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