Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - April 2, 2007
Amit Kumar of the International Federation in Delhi
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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