Show casting the efforts and achievements of the program during the last eight years, the recently concluded State Level Exposition at Town Hall, Dimapur on 07th December 2012 by the Population Foundation of India (PFI), Nagaland State Coordination Unit under the RCC/PACT Project really reminds and makes a sense of how we really fight HIV/AIDS with the moment of learning and understanding with it. Population Foundation of India (PFI) is the first civil society to be funded by the GFATM as the principal recipient under round 4 and 6. The consolidated Round 4 RCC program named as ‘Promoting Access to Care and Treatment (PACT)’ aims to ‘improve survival and quality of life of PLHIV and reduce HIV transmission” and is being implemented in 19 states of India and contributes to the national objective.
Mrs. Roselin (one of the participant and Support Net Group leader from KpNP+ Kiphire), a widow with one daughter seems to be overjoyed and comfortable today after being found herself that there is a life beyond as she joined a support Net group for people with HIV/AIDS and started to learn how to live. Feeling so blessed and grateful to be healthy, today she encourages and challenges women living with HIV that there is life beyond as she continues to be a role model. "I have a mission; I have a purpose in life." her philosophy on life is definitely inspiring and one to imitate. It is to be recalled that, the day she tested positive was the most shocking moment that can’t be forgotten, trying to plan for her surviving daughter’s future; which won't be an easy task! At what stage should she give up her role as a parent? Who can she rely on to take care of her child? Where can she find the right kind of support to decide what is best for them? Worrying as to what will happen to her child if she dies first? Yet her biggest fear is not the disease. She has learnt to live with it, especially, as for much of the time they are feeling well! What terrify them most, are other people! For despite information about HIV/AIDS being available now for nearly decades back, she feels isolation, depression etc…... Having lived with HIV for many years and an experienced mother, her services towards infected and affected women on positive living and help access to treatment services still continues and this healthy mother of one; today leads the Support Net Group formed under RCC/PACT Project comprising of 12 women members at KpNP+ Kiphire.
Mrs. Khupai, (one of the participants also from KpNP+ Kiphire and co leader of Support net Group), a young married women on ART recalls the day when she first participated at the Support Group under the ACT project in 2007. That was the year when she was detected positive and was infact an active member of the DLN since her joining as a member of the support Group. When asked about her family income, she proudly says, life doesn’t matter being who iam but i know for sure that as human being I also can do what others can; provided I live positively. When I tested HIV positive years back, the road map for how to die with this condition seemed clear. Creating my own path has been challenging and rewarding. HIV has been a catalyst for personal growth, an inspiration to make changes I needed to make anyway my life is richer as a result. "Although I deal with fear all the time, I never really internalized the HIV/AIDS dogma. I instinctively believed that HIV was a cofactor and that I could manage my health successfully. I pursue an aggressive health management program that includes nutrition. With the involvement in the group, we find support, care, love, share experiences and comfort and together we help others access to various treatment services and initiate together for our livelihood. Today; she co leads the Support Net Group of KpNP+ Kiphire.
Ms. N (Name Change) a young widow on ART and also an active member of Support Net Group of KpNP+ Kiphire recalls the year when she was detected positive along with her husband and her child. The first Support Group meeting in 2007 is indeed a day for me to remember how together with my late husband (Died after few months) voluntarily joined the group. Today i live in my native village manning a large cultivated land along with my old mother and sister. Agriculture is the main stay of economy of my family and in times of need the Support Net Group members supports me and are always there for me taking care of my health and other required helps.
The objective of Support Net Group formed under RCC/PACT project is to increase coverage and access to services related to stigma and discrimination and psycho-social aspects for PLHIV. These members contribute a few amounts on monthly basis no matter whether huge or small and deposits in the Groups bank account; and also do various income generating activities regularly. Apart from their livelihood activities; these members voluntarily provide psycho-social support at the community and household level and link to PLHIV with services, Reinforce messages on positive living and positive prevention, Support HIV/AIDS awareness and sensitization at the community level.
The day long State Level Exposition includes power point presentations on achievements and reports, Treatment services, highlighting of various schemes relating to livelihood activities, cultural sessions, panel discussions etc… Of all; the best and the excited moment of the event was the show and exhibition of various items by Support Net Groups of all the District Level Networks witnessed by various stakeholders, NGOs and NSACS officials. Participants without hesitating or waiting in line were rushed eager to know more about the group’s activities. Prizes were also given under various categories during the day long state exposition; Where KpNP+ Kiphire bagged the best on the Discipline in overall Project activities and Cultural Performances respectively and third on the SNG Income Generation Programme Activity. When asked about the performances based rewards, Erothe (President KpNP+ Kiphire) says it was because of the tireless efforts of all the Staffs and members of the Network; not forgetting the NNP+ and PFI for being with us and the credit goes to the RCC/PACT Project staffs for all the fruits that we have been bagged. Earlier it is also to be mentioned that RCC/PACT Kiphire also bagged along with cash and citation during the World AIDS Day 2011 for being awarded the best District level Program Management and performances among all the projects and activities relating to HIV/AIDS Programs in Kiphire District.
PFI Nagaland and the Partners; 7 District Level Networks under NNP+ has been pushing and intensifying their efforts in the fight against the epidemic, though Fear of Stigma and Discrimination continue still to be the twin handicaps to all the work being done to halt the spread of HIV. The immense burden of stigma, and the resulting secrecy, shame and anxiety, will continue to block efforts to encourage people to be tested, disclose their status, prevent transmission of the virus, and access treatment. Some infected people; they thought this was the end of their life. But having people encouraging them... it has made them start thinking of their children, start thinking of their dreams ...” When the family and community around an individual are supportive, understanding and caring, people are more likely to protect themselves and others from transmission of HIV. They are more likely to access and adhere to ARV treatment. They are more likely to choose to disclose their status.
We can work with communities and families to transform their attitudes to HIV. We can empower community to protect themselves from contracting the virus, and to prevent transmission to their children. We can help individuals become more confident and make positive choices about their health, and the health of those around them, and so live with hope and dignity.
FIGHT AIDS BUT NOT THE PEOPLE!
Lithsa, Kiphire : Nagaland
lithsa@rediffmail.com
