Dear Friends,
Its that time when we look forward to manifestos and how that's going to affect our lives. These thoughts becomes important for Shanker Foundation Darjeeling Network of Positive People as lives of positive people are extremely interlinked with policies at the centre. In the past year or so governmental funding to Shanker Foundation has dried up. This brings us the question, does Shanker Foundation need funds especially now that the Nodal ART Centre has opened up in the Darjeeling District Hospital(refer to previous update). This has been a long standing demand of SF DjNP+ and its fruition brings a sense of accomplishment as well as a the question of what next. This is where central policies and international actions affect the lives of people so far away from the corridors of power. The news story below 'How the India growth story has backfired on the HIV-positive' highlights national and international policy changes that has reduced support to positive people, this is true in the Darjeeling Hills. Seldom do we see the ART Centres well stocked with ART, this has meant that clients have to come every week for their ART rather than once a month. Thus even with the Nodal ART in Darjeeling a client from a far away Bijanbari has difficulty in accessing it especially when it is every week. Incidentally, there has been a rise in the number of clients in Bijanbari and its far flung villages. This rise in number was forseen, but sadly we are unprepared for it. The response should be focused awareness campaigns with care and support interventions but with reducing funding support this becomes extremely difficult. Likewise, there is an increase in clients in Kurseong Block too but outreach is limited. This information in rise in number in Bijanbari and Kurseong is partly due to the action of Shanker Foundation members who are working actively there. Since Postive Haat, the two members of SF at Bijanbari and Kurseong are being given a monthly honorarium of Rs. 2000 and Rs. 2500 respectively. Their honorarium is a minuscule drop compared to their interventions.
There are a number of governmental benefits that are being provided to positive clients like the Antodaya Anna Yojna which provides additional subsidised supplementary food through the Pubic Distribution Service and a number of members and clients of SF DjNP+ are getting the food rations. But, a large number do not get it due to lack of information or societal pressure which forces them to hide their status rather than access the food. The department has become proactive in confidentiality issues for AAY yet in the initial days with the way the town is in terms of confidentiality, has meant that clients are more concerned of their status disclosure and let go of the food.
Thus even with improved services, there is even more a need for the SFDjNP+ be around to provide care and support to positive people in the Hills. There is still need for SF DjNP+ provide a face for the movement to remove stigma and discrimination as well as fight for the rights of positive people. It is still important to continue our pledge at the Candlelight Memorial 18 May 2014, of Getting to Zero: Zero AIDS related Deaths, Zero new HIV infections and Zero Stigma and discrimination. The theme this year 'Let's keep the light on HIV' calls us to understand that there are policies and implementation process in place but it still needs improvement and also that these investments are being threatened. It calls on us to revitalise our solidarity and support to SFDjNP+ and enable resources to redirect their effort in protecting the rights of PLHA in the Darjeeling Hills. It also calls on us to relate policies to on the ground situations and influence them. It calls on us to recognise SFDjNP+ still needs funds.
In the past two months we have redoubled our effort to focus our actions and make best use of the scarce resources. The May monthly meeting will focus on a year plan which is kind of how we are placed with resources post Positive Haat. There has been a sense of renewed urgency and redoubling our effort.
We look forward to your continued support and solidarity.
Yours sincerely
roshan
How the India growth story has backfired on the HIV-positive
