HERE, HIV positive executives ‘ring’ in sunshine in lives of HIV positive callers. In a ‘first-of-its-kind’ attempt, State will soon extend its toll-free counselling facility to another 16 districts. Set to get connected by June, Gujarat becomes the first state in India, where the telecentre staff comprises 70 per cent HIV positive who guide the demoralised and depressed and offer them care and support.
A venture of Gujarat State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) to reach remotest locations, also has members who look after functioning of three drop-in-centers at Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara as well as executions of six help and support projects by the GSACS.
At the drop-in-centers, three out of five staff members are HIV positive and will be seen in action at Rajkot counselling on anti-retroviral drug center (ARV) doses which help boost immune system.
At present, the telecounselling facility is provided by only five municipal corporations Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Bhavnagar and toll-free line can be accessed within city limits. With state-wide network to be set by June, the counselling for HIV positive people from any city or village counselling will be available at required time.
Currently, the facility is available in four districts including Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Patan and Mehsana.
‘’Telecounselling is an ambitious project by the GSACS with an aim to reach to every HIV positive in the State. The Gujarat is the first state to provide state-wide network with the help of Gujarat Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNPLHA),” said Dr D M Saxena, additional project director, GSACS.
The official believes that when counselling comes from HIV positive itself, it can be very effective as the caller can easily relate with the attendant, which can help build faith.
From just seven members in 2003 to a network of 4,500 people in 24 districts, by coming and working together they have made difference in their lives and continue to do so for others.
State has total of 45 Positive Speakers — HIV positive people who speak in public about their condition and share their experience.
‘’Even in states like UP and Maharashtra, where number of total HIV positive is much higher than Gujarat, the number of Positive Speakers is around 11 to 15,” said Umesh Patel, a founder member of GNPLHA and member of India Network of Positive People Living with HIV/AIDS (INPLHA).
‘’When members of INPLHA approached us in 2003, we were seven people—- five from Surat, one from Rajkot and Kutch. Now, we have a set network in all the districts with total 4,500 registered members,” says Jagdish Patel, one of the founder member from Rajkot.
‘’I was not in position to afford expensive drugs. Another member had an issue on how to disclose his status. The founder members came together and helped each other. Like medicines, care and support are equally important for HIV positive,” says Jagdish Patel, adding, ‘’Through telecounselling, we take the mission to the next level.”
Courtesy : Expressindia.com
A venture of Gujarat State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) to reach remotest locations, also has members who look after functioning of three drop-in-centers at Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara as well as executions of six help and support projects by the GSACS.
At the drop-in-centers, three out of five staff members are HIV positive and will be seen in action at Rajkot counselling on anti-retroviral drug center (ARV) doses which help boost immune system.
At present, the telecounselling facility is provided by only five municipal corporations Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Bhavnagar and toll-free line can be accessed within city limits. With state-wide network to be set by June, the counselling for HIV positive people from any city or village counselling will be available at required time.
Currently, the facility is available in four districts including Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Patan and Mehsana.
‘’Telecounselling is an ambitious project by the GSACS with an aim to reach to every HIV positive in the State. The Gujarat is the first state to provide state-wide network with the help of Gujarat Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNPLHA),” said Dr D M Saxena, additional project director, GSACS.
The official believes that when counselling comes from HIV positive itself, it can be very effective as the caller can easily relate with the attendant, which can help build faith.
From just seven members in 2003 to a network of 4,500 people in 24 districts, by coming and working together they have made difference in their lives and continue to do so for others.
State has total of 45 Positive Speakers — HIV positive people who speak in public about their condition and share their experience.
‘’Even in states like UP and Maharashtra, where number of total HIV positive is much higher than Gujarat, the number of Positive Speakers is around 11 to 15,” said Umesh Patel, a founder member of GNPLHA and member of India Network of Positive People Living with HIV/AIDS (INPLHA).
‘’When members of INPLHA approached us in 2003, we were seven people—- five from Surat, one from Rajkot and Kutch. Now, we have a set network in all the districts with total 4,500 registered members,” says Jagdish Patel, one of the founder member from Rajkot.
‘’I was not in position to afford expensive drugs. Another member had an issue on how to disclose his status. The founder members came together and helped each other. Like medicines, care and support are equally important for HIV positive,” says Jagdish Patel, adding, ‘’Through telecounselling, we take the mission to the next level.”
Courtesy : Expressindia.com