Corporates
India
ACC
: HIV / AIDS
Snehalaya
- NGO
biofarm - himmatgram
People living with HIV face prejudice and their ART medication
weakens them, making holding down a job and providing for
their families extremely difficult. Snehalaya's Himmatgram
or 'Hamlet of Courage' stands in 25 acres of arable land
on the outskirts of Ahmednagar, complete with its own poly
tunnel, well and reservoir. It provides food for our other
projects as well as a safe haven and gainful employment
for a number of HIV+ families.
This
biofarm has become a community for former sex workers and
HIV+ beneficiaries ready to make a new life for themselves
and their families. Here they learn how to become self-sufficient
in a rural setting, gaining skills in organic farming, crop
rotation, irrigation and dairy farming. Live-in project
manager ensures they receive all the support they need to
farm their own produce with the excess going to supply our
Rehab Centre. He also counsels them through their transition
to rural life, medical treatment and respite care - the
farm has become their family home.
NGOs
India
Palawi,
Pandharpur
Snehalaya
Burundi
SWAA
Burundi (We were not able to get NGO website but website
of their partner)
Challenges
1. Stigma and Discrimination:
People living with HIV often face stigma and discrimination,
which can lead to social isolation, difficulty accessing
healthcare, and psychological distress.
Stigma can manifest at various levels, including personal,
community, institutional, and legal.
It can also lead to self-stigma, where individuals internalize
negative attitudes about themselves and their condition.
2. Access to Healthcare and Medication:
Access to HIV testing, treatment, and care can be challenging,
especially in resource-limited settings.
Barriers to accessing healthcare include transportation,
lack of insurance, limited availability of specialized HIV
care, financial constraints, and language barriers.
Even with access to treatment, adherence to medication can
be a challenge, requiring ongoing support and engagement.
3. Retention in Care:
Maintaining patients in care and ensuring they remain on
treatment is crucial for preventing viral transmission and
improving health outcomes.
Challenges to retention in care include transportation difficulties,
job loss, loss of insurance, and lack of social support.
Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach
that includes not only medical care but also social and
psychological support.
4. Scientific Challenges:
While antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly improved
the lives of people living with HIV, a cure remains elusive.
The development of new treatments and prevention strategies
is an ongoing scientific challenge.
Another challenge is the development of approaches to eliminate
the latent reservoir of HIV, where the virus remains dormant
in the body.
5. Other Challenges:
Co-morbidities:
People living with HIV are at higher risk of developing
other health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease,
diabetes, and certain cancers.
Ageing Population:
As people with HIV live longer, the burden of managing co-morbidities
in an ageing population becomes increasingly important.
Drug Resistance:
The emergence of HIV drug resistance is a growing concern,
limiting treatment options for some people.
Socioeconomic Factors:
Poverty, unemployment, and lack of education can exacerbate
the challenges faced by people living with HIV.
Psychosocial Issues:
Living with HIV can have a significant impact on mental
health, leading to depression, anxiety, and other psychological
issues.
Disclosure Challenges:
People living with HIV may face challenges in disclosing
their status to others, due to fear of stigma and discrimination.
Key Populations:
Certain populations, such as people who use drugs, men who
have sex with men, and transgender people, are at higher
risk of HIV infection and face unique challenges in accessing
services.
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