Some
5.2 million people in India are living with HIV but many are
left isolated and untreated because of stigma and misconceptions
about the disease.
The Indian Red Cross is therefore working to ensure that people
living with HIV have access to information, care and medical
support. At the same time, the National Society is working to
raise awareness about HIV/AIDS among the public, media, police
and health workers in an effort to help those affected by the
virus to live full and useful lives within their communities.
“I feel better when I come here,” says Kavita, an
HIV-positive casual labourer, who is undergoing treatment through
an Indian Red Cross project at Thambaram Hospital. “They
understand my problem.”
The project, which has been running since July 2004, provides
food and hygiene items to people living with HIV, as well as
counselling to them and their families. The hospital has 16
wards for HIV patients, 12 for people with tuberculosis, an
intensive care unit, a children’s ward and a palliative
care ward.
“The majority of patients come from lower socio-economic
groups, such as truck drivers, casual and agricultural workers,”
explains Sumiti, a counsellor working at the hospital.
“The counselling takes place individually and in groups,
with more time spent with those suffering from depression. It
has helped many patients get back to their normal lives and
to be accepted by their families.”
The Thambaram Hospital project is just one example of the strategies
developed by the Indian Red Cross in response to the HIV/AIDS
pandemic. Another is the day care centre for HIV-positive children
run at Karimangalam in Dharmapuri district. Here, about 20 children
are given three nutritional meals a day, non-formal education,
play and exercise.
The Indian Red Cross is implementing further programmes in all
five targeted states – Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil
Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka – through its youth
peer education and day care projects.
Equally important is the Red Cross’ massive advocacy initiative
addressing stigma and discrimination. As part of this, the Indian
Red Cross national headquarters recently organised a painting
competition and seminar on the theme “HIV/AIDS prevention
– keep the promise” to coincide with the last World
AIDS Day.
Indian Red Cross and International Federation staff also showed
their solidarity with the cause by wearing red ribbons. At state
level, competitions, public rallies and get-togethers for children
and adults living with HIV were organized in Andhra Pradesh,
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
The work of the Indian Red Cross supports the International
Federation’s global campaign to prevent, reduce and ultimately
eliminate HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination wherever
it occurs.
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The
project, which has been running since July 2004, provides
food and hygiene items to people living with HIV, as well
as counselling to them and their families. (p15568)
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Another
is the day care centre for HIV-positive children run at
Karimangalam in Dharmapuri district. Here, about 20 children
are given three nutritional meals a day, non-formal education,
play and exercise. (p15569)
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Indian
Red Cross Society Nutrition Counselling, Thambaram hospital.
(p15572)
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The
hospital has 16 wards for HIV patients, 12 for people
with tuberculosis, an intensive care unit, a children’s
ward and a palliative care ward. (p15573)
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