AIDS Control in Theni District

Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society

Care and support - medical and Emotional, can help HIV/AIDS Patients lead a fulfilled life, free from discrimination.

HIV-infected persons can live up to ten years or more without developing AIDS, provided they are cared for and given support, not just medical but emotional too.

Through a unique programme, TANSACS has trained a number of Physicians Responsible for AIDS Management (PRAMS). These physicians are based in Medical Colleges and District Hospitals across the State and are trained in the management of AIDS patients. Opportunistic infections are speedily treated, giving the HIV positive person the chance to lead a normal life.

Government hospitals such as the Government Hospital for Thoracic Medicine , Tambaram , have special care wards for HIV/AIDS patients. At any time, over 250 people are being treated there as in-patients. TANSACS has also appointed STD counsellors in STD clinics through South India AIDS Action Programme, an NGO based in Chennai.

The role of NGOs in providing care and support is crucial since they often operate at the grassroots level. TANSACS works with and funds a number of NGOs which are implementing care and support programmes in various parts of the State. In collaboration with Madras Christian Council of Social Service (Chennai) , and CHES (Chennai) , TANSACS has initiated a pilot project for the Continuum of Care for HIV/AIDS patients. The project aims at improving the quality of care for these persons. The New Life Trust has mooted a 'Theme care centre' in Namakkal, considered the epicenter in the State. The centre would have a meditation room, library, recreation room, vocational training, sports and games facilities.

Providing HIV /AIDS patients with an emotionally stable, happy and supportive environment goes a long way in keeping them healthy. Initially, due to the stigma and ignorance, many lost their livelihood. The fear psychosis built around the infection resulted in even hospitals refusing to admit or treat HIV positive people. Many patients would lose their will to live or live in abandoment.

To simply provide moral and emotional support, The Community Health Education Society (CHES), funded by TANSACS, started the Hope Club in Chennai for HIV/AIDS patients. The club meets on the last Sunday of every month. It holds talks and short film screenings on topics such as routine medical care, nutritional advice and yoga therapy. CHES is also exploring 'home care' options for PLWHA. It has found that family counselling helps HIV positive persons to live at home, with the support of their families.

TANSACS employs positive people and hopes that others too will follow suit. TANSACS has stipulated that NGOs working with HIV/AIDS patients must employ at least one positive person in their organisations.

A little understanding, TANSACS hopes, will help HIV/AIDS patients lead a fulfilled life, free from discrimination.

SPECIAL CARE WARDS FOR HIV/AIDS PATIENTS AT TAMBARAM, CHENNAI

The Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine in Tambaram started in 1928, was bought by then Government of Madras in 1937, to provide in-patient services for the growing number of tuberculosis patients.

The hospital is located close to two hills called the Green Mountains. Thirty one wards are spread over 96 acres. Spacious, with plenty of greenery and natural light, the hospital is a haven for TB patients and now, increasingly, for HIV/AIDS patients.

The bed strength is 776 and 1,239 patients are staying at the hospital. Most of them are from the lower socio-economic strata. Factory workers, agricultural labourers and members of the weaving community make up the majority of the patients.

Special wards have been set up for HIV/AIDS patients who are given treatment for various opportunistic infections by a dedicated team of doctors. The trial on Siddha drugs for HIV/AIDS is carried out on patients after obtaining informed consent. Patients become a part of the drug trial only after they test HIV positive using the Western Blot technique. The patients are given good food including two eggs per day and nutritious ragi gruel, free of charge.

The hospital also trains PRAMs for various other Government hospitals in the State.

The Happy Home: CHES Supports Orphans with AIDS and infected Women.

When Dr.Manorama decided to open her home to two HIV-infected orphans, she set in motion a series of events that would establish CHES as a care-giver for HIV/AIDS infected persons.

The Community Health Education Society (CHES) is a Chennai -based NGO t hat offers refuge and solace to HIV/AIDS patients in general and infected women in particular. The Ashram was CHES' initial project and was started as a home for AIDS orphans. Over the years, the Ashram also became a place of refuge for CSWs. Many have left the sex trade and work as care-givers at CHES.

Caring for HIV/AIDS patients involves an approach that must minister to their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs.

In 1997, CHES began its home-based care programme. Named Vidiyal (dawn), the project also runs the Hope Club with support from TANSACS.

CHES is funded by TANSACS and has networked with organizations working in other fields. For instance, it sends drug users to the TTK hospital to be detoxified. In return, CHES provides TTK with counseling services for HIV persons. CHES uses YRG Care's AIDS detection testing facilities. The Banyan, an NGO that works with destitute women, refers HIV positive cases to CHES, which, in turn, refers women who do not need medical treatment to The Banyan, CHES also networks with a variety of spiritual organizations.

Drop-in-Centre for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) in Theni District:

Thiru. S. Pitchaimani,
Managing Trustee,
People living with and affected by HIV/AIDS Trust,
Opposite to Convent,
Periyakulam Road,
Theni - 625 531.

Instituional Care Centre for Theni District PLWHAs:

Thiru. John Dalton,
Secretary
Arogya Agam,
Aundipatty,
Theni District,
PIN: 625 512.