SAMRAKSHA is the HIV/AIDS sector of SAMUHA. Since its first interventions in 1993, we have sought to address the HIV pandemic as a continuum of needs. Our objectives are to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the community; and to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS on those already affected.

The Counseling, Care and Support programme comprises a holistic body of services and interventions for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA's), their families, and community members. It also includes training and capacity building for professional and lay counselors, medical personnel, and other caregivers in Bangalore, Raichur, Koppal Districts and Uttara Kannada districts.

The programme demonstrates practical care continuum models in both urban and rural settings through a community-based network of 5 Counseling Outreach sites, 6 Out-Patient Clinics, two 15 bedded Respite Homes, Home Care, and Hospital Support services. Advocacy against discrimination, segregation and refusal to treat people living with HIV/AIDS and advocacy for better treatment, care and drug access are also critical components of the programme.

Highlights 2002

International Candlelight Memorial Day :

A series of Candlelight Memorial Marches and Ceremonies were held on May 19th in Bangalore, Raichur, Koppal, and Karwar. The events were initiated by SAMRAKSHA under a common banner of people and organisations fighting against HIV to commemorate International Candlelight Memorial Day. SAMRAKSHA works to highlight the issue of PLWHA's who are dying without anti-retroviral treatment and to express solidarity with the many PLWHA's who are carrying on courageously.

Care & Support Songs Released :

Baddukuva Assay Nannagillenu, an audio cassette of care and support songs, was released in Bangalore, Raichur, Koppal, Karwar, Mandya, Mysore, Tumkur, Pavagada and Kolar districts. Over 1000 people from the government, private sector, public sector, NGO's and media attended the events. The cassette is regularly played at movie theatres, market places, temple festivals and dhabas. It is being used as training material and has been purchased by the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society.

Palliative Care :

This year, the care team received an in-depth introduction to palliative care.

Given the speed at which HIV is spreading through the general population, there is a need to mobilise communities to prepare for, and deal with the impact of HIV/AIDS.

We also saw a surge in the number of clients who are dying because they are not able to afford ART - Anti Retroviral Therapy. Meanwhile, the West is reporting a sustained reduction in illness and death through ART, particularly through the newer Highly Active (HAART) regimens. While the figures are still to be worked out, even cold economic logic seems to indicate that the expense of treatment for opportunistic infections and the widespread loss of human productivity are much greater than the actual cost of ART.

Advocacy issues must be taken on more proactively to make real headway against public discrimination. While Samraksha totally respects confidentiality of PLHA and strives to maintain it. It also supports clients to disclose their status in situations where the client will lose out on much-needed benefits or resources unless they stand up and fight for their rights. At the same time, SAMRAKSHA is committed to backing the client fully and seeing him/her through any backlash or repercussions.

IN THE PIPELINE...

... SAMRAKSHA is expanding its rural interventions in north Karnataka. The focus will be on integrating counseling, care and support services with government services to maximise use of existing infrastructure and resources; training and capacity building of community members and field staff as caregivers, health advisors and lay counselors; providing forward and backward linkages for people in the community with care services.

... training and support from palliative care specialists in India and abroad.