Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: A first ever advocacy meeting on social protection for the people living with HIV, was organized by JKSPYM in collaboration with J&K State AIDS Prevention & Control Society and Mamta Health Institute of Mother and Child -NGOs working in the field of heath and development.
The meeting was chaired by Secretary Planning B. R. Sharma along with representatives of various departments which includes Department of Finance, Department of Social Welfare, Department of Health and Medical Education, Department of Rural Development, Department of Law and Sheetal Nanda, Project Director JKSACS along with representatives from NGOs.
The meeting was organized for people living with HIV/AIDS in J&K, under Care & Support Centre, recently started by JKSPYM under Vihaan program supported by Global Fund through India HIV/AIDS Alliance as primary recipient, Mamta as sub recipient.
During the discussion, B. R. Sharma recommended the formation of a committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary. The committee would look after the proposals regarding the collective issues of PLHIV to different department ensure their early implementation and modification as per PLHIV perspectives.
Sheetal Nanda gave a detailed presentation on implementation of National AIDS Control Programme in J&K and the efforts that are being made for proving facilities/ benefits to the people living with HIV/AIDS in J&K.
The meeting was organised to advocate the multi sectoral response to manage the epidemic and its impact.
As per the data available with JKSACS more than 4000 HIV+ cases have been detected in J&K and out of which 434 persons have died of AIDS in the State itself. Although JKSACS and Civil Societies together witnessed a strong and effective response to the epidemic in terms of securing services, mounting innovative preventive approaches and increasing coverage, yet the persistence of stigma is a pointer to existing gaps in the response. There is still much to be done to address stigma and discrimination among PLHIV in Jammu, as this is leading to marginalisation of PLHIV.
This meeting provided a platform to bridge the gap between services/ scheme/ benefits and identity and address the basic documentation requisite relaxatino for PLHIV.
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