Promote NACO’s Asha Programme: Justice Shivraj Patel
By chennaivision at 10 July, 2009, 3:02 pm
Bangalore, Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Shivaraj Patel gave a call to the NGOs and CBOs (Community Based Organisations) to promote the Asha programme of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).
He also urged them to work together to develop a resource directory to help People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and other marginalised communities to access social entitlements.
Justice Patel was speaking at a Public Hearing on ‘Discrimination and Human Rights Violations faced by PLHIV and other marginalised communities in Karnataka,’ organized by KNP and World Vision at ISHA, Banashankari, here yesterday.
Reminding the NGOs of their responsibilities in addressing the issues of these affected communities, Justice Patel said ”a resource directory which gives a vivid picture about the schemes available, eligibility criteria and whom to approach to avail the schemes, would be very useful.’’ He urged them to promote the Asha programme to create awareness on health, nutrition, hygiene and importance of breast feeding for pregnant women. The Asha volunteers, under the National AIDS Control Programme III (NACP III), also counsel pregnant mothers. They provide timely referrals to health care centres at the community level in taluks and districts.
Other panelists on the Public Hearing were Ms Chandrakantha, Joint Director, Targeted Intervention, Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS), Ms Shakun, Vimochana, Sheila Devaraj, Chairperson, Association for Promotion of Social Activities (APSA), Advocate Rosy George, SPAD, and Mr Manohar, Member, ICCM.
In response to the presentation made by Ms Surekha, representative from Lawyers Collective on the HIV Bill, the Justice expressed that `Networks of People Living with HIV’ have to play a proactive role in organising themselves to mobolise support from vigilance and civil societies, dedicated NGOs, honest and committed law enforcing agencies, proactive judiciary and both print and electronic media as well.
HIV positive people have formed networks in every district of Karnataka under the umbrella of KNP and work for the uplift ment of PLHIV through support group meetings, family and personal counseling, positive speaking, drug adherence among others.
Ms Shakun emphasized the importance of self confidence of PLHIV and other marginalized groups and asked them to think out of the box.
No comments yet.