Involving Panchayaths in HIV Care and Support: A Case Study from Kerala

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Dear Forum

Involvement of Panchayathi-raj institutions (PRIs) in HIV care and support

programmes: A case study from four district Panchayaths in Kerala

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HIV/AIDS prevention and care is now become a serious concern of all

laminas of the Civil Society. The planned move made by the health

sector, particularly, Kerala State AIDS Control Society plays a great

role in this realization. The change reflects in the attitudes of the

society towards the HIV infected and affected persons.

There were several reports in the past about the reproach and oppression

suffered by the infected person and his near and dear, on knowing the existence

of HIV in his or her body fluids.

Such tidings are rare now and several incidences or events of care and support

for such persons are often heard from various corners of the State.

The projects implemented by the District Panchayaths of Kazaragode,

Malappuram, Kottayam and Alappuzha are good news, that heralds the

commitment of Panchayathi-raj institutions towards their HIV infected

citizens.

All these Panchayaths try to ensure sustenance to all the

reported HIV cases from the territory through supply of free food

materials.

They have approve and spent lakh of rupees they for this cause. In Kerala,

several cases of HIV infection are reported from the

low income groups or people living below poverty line and hence such

support is inevitable to protect the infected and their families.

A positive lifestyle and improved diet are essential to ensure healthy

and extended life of HIV infected persons.

Kasaragode District Panchayath has allocated Rupees Eight Lakh to this

programme during the current year. At present, about 150 infected

people benefit from this programme. Every month, each person gets a

minimum of 15 kilogram rice, one and half kilograms of Bengal gram and

bean.

This programme is implemented through Prathyasa Kendram (Drop in

centre). The District Panchayath issues the invoice to the Civil

Supplies Corporation and the concerned person from the Prathyasa

Kendram collects food materials from there and distributes it to

eligible registered persons.

Malappuram Panchayath supports 100 infected persons every month by

allocating Rs.2.85 Lakh from Pariraksha Project. They provide rice,

wheat, green gram and bengal gram to its beneficiaries.

They formulated a monitoring committee comprising of the District Medical

Officer, Standing committee chairman for Health - District Panchayth,

representative from Pain and Palliative Care Council and the representative of

Prathyasa Kendram to supervise the quality

implementation of the programme.

Kottayam and Alappuzha Districts incorporated the programme with

People’s Planning Programme (‘Janakeeyasutranam’) and implements it

through Social Welfare Department.

The Panchayaths transfer necessary funds to the Social Welfare Department. They

purchase materials from Civil Supplies outlets and distribute it through the

Prathyasa Kendram of the respective districts.

These Panchayaths provide coconut oil, milk powder and protein B powder, in

addition to rice, Bengal gram and green gram. Both these Panchayaths allotted

Rupees four lakhs during the current year,  to support this programme. Kottayam

District Panchayath supports 70 infected persons and Alappuzha Panchayath

supports 100 persons through this programme.

Efforts are initiated to extend these kinds of programmes in the

remaining ten District Panchayaths in Kerala. The Mainstreaming

Division of KSACS plays a great role behind this endeavor.

If such programmes are replicated with local specific changes in the remaining

Panchayaths, it will be a great boon to all the hapless HIV infected persons

from the low income group.

Such supports will certainly revive their hope for life and help them to lead a

happy and healthy extended life. Such initiatives will certainly pave way for

the reduction of stigma and discrimination. Let us wait for such a great leap

that becomes a replica for other States of our Nation.

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BEST PRACTICE DOCUMENTATION UNIT IEC DIVISION, KERALA STATE AIDS CONTROL SOCIETY

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA

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Management Support by: Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT)

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S.Ajai Kumar

Joint Director IEC

Kerala SACS

Red Cross Road

Thiruvananthapuram - 35

Kerala, India

e-mail: <ajai.ksacs@...>