HIV/AIDS is a growing public health concern in India. While in many countries advances in the development and availability of antiretroviral drugs have led to an architectural shift in scenario and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has led to significant reduction in the prevalence of AIDS-related morbidity and mortality, India still has a long way to go in this regard. Like in many developing countries, in India as well the focus of national programs and international support still continues to be on prevention, care, and support with very poor availability and access to treatment and care.Fast expansion of ARV treatment requires quick complementary actions by associations of people living with HIV/AIDS, medical associations, and private and public donors, and facilitating actions by poor governments, and international organizations. The specific areas which are legging behind include- treatment of Reproductive Tract Infections, referral of cases to VCTC, initiation of Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for HIV positive and AIDS cases, follow up of patients on ART, management of opportunistic infections in AIDS cases.
Prayas hereby serves as an advocacy resource center to take up evidence based advocacy to strengthen and improve facilities for appropriate management of HIV/AIDS cases in the country. The goal of the initiative is to advocate for availability of better services, treatment and contribute to a better-informed workforce for management of HIV/AIDS and related opportunistic infections in the country. The major tool to promote concern over the treatment issue is through forming appropriate linkages with the already existing campaigns and forums on the issue of health rights and HIV/AIDS and access to treatment in particular.
National Consultation on Access to Treatment for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) Download