Tamil Nadu / India

HIV prevention and support for people living with HIV/AIDS

Whilst music and theatre performances target the general public, special awareness can be raised for endangered groups in trains. Photo: ich.tv
Whilst music and theatre performances target the general public, special awareness can be raised for endangered groups in trains. Photo: ich.tv

Malteser International fights against HIV/AIDS in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. The HIV/AIDS problem is especially pressing in this part of the country: Tamil Nadu ranks second in the prevalence of the disease in India.
One of the major reasons and the focus point of Malteser International`s intervention is migration.

Every year about 5,000 people - mostly young men - from Tirunelveli District migrate to big cities like Mumbai or Chennai to seek for employment. They are forced to leave their homes mainly due to a lack of industries in their region. Others leave their villages for fishing during off-season every year. At their destinations the men being separated from their families often develop extra marital relationships or visit sex workers. Many return home infected with the HI-virus.

Situation

Goals

Measures

Project data & Contact

In general, one can observe a lack of awareness among the rural population. The ways of infection are highly unknown. Another major problem is that people living with HIV/AIDS and their families face stigmatisation and discrimination in their communities. They are often looked down on and excluded by their families and former friends. Some are economically disadvantaged as well, since they are too weak to work or are not hired due to their HIV infection. In hospitals, people living with HIV/AIDS often do not receive adequate treatment.

Malteser International in cooperation with five Indian partner organisations addresses the complex problems with a comprehensive approach including prevention, care and support.
  • Enhancing the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families
  • Easy access of people living with HIV/AIDS to emotional, economic, nutritional, health care and legal support
  • Reducing stigma and discrimination and promoting community involvement and support for families affected by HIV/AIDS
  • Increasing level of awareness on HIV/AIDS among the general public leading to a reduction of the vulnerability to HIV
  • Awareness sessions for the general public to increase risk perception and decrease discrimination
  • Cultural programmes focussing on HIV/AIDS: exhibitions, street theatre, songs
  • Awareness creation among migrants: platform theatre, exhibitions in railway stations, one-to-one interactions in trains
  • Sensitisation of community and religious leaders
  • Trainings for people living with HIV/AIDS on self care and for their family members on home based care
  • Assistance to support groups
  • Individual counselling support during home visits
  • Income generating activities to economically empower people living with HIV/AIDS
  • Medical support: set up effective referral mechanisms linking people to testing centres and hospitals; emergency and inpatient care
Project data
Duration:Since January 2007
Financing: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development , Germanys Relief Coalition (ADH), Malteser International, private donations
Partner:Centre for Social Reconstruction (CSR), Pro-Vision, Centre for Peoples Education (CPE), Arumbugal, Peace Trust, AussiCodes
 
Contact
Malteser:Roland Hansen
info(at)malteser-international.org
 
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Malteser International works on improving the health situation food as well as water security. (Photo: Carmen Wolf)

Malteser International works on improving the health situation food as well as water security. (Photo: Carmen Wolf)
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