Over the past 19 years, APPA+ has been instrumental in empowering the PLHIV community by building their capacities to collectivize and advocate for their varied health and socio-economic rights, through a comprehensive and integrated approach of establishing linkages with relevant government and non-government stakeholders.
We serve all individuals infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts, including the key population groups most affected by HIV and AIDS – LGBTQI community, injecting drug users, women, youth and children.
By means of Advocacy, Networking and Service delivery, APPA+ works to:
- promote social acceptance of PLHIV and their families by diminishing stigma and discrimination
- protect and promote the rights of PLHIV by facilitating and ensuring their involvement at all levels of decision making
- facilitate early linkages of PLHIV for treatment, care and support services
- provide PLHIV with more economic, social and cultural networking opportunities
- provide access to information and awareness, thereby reducing incidences of HIV infection
HEALTH – HIV/AIDS PREVENTION, TREATMENT & SUPPORT SERVICES
VIHAAN Care and Support Centre (CSC):
Since 2013, APPA+ has been implementing the Vihaan CSC in Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts of Telangana. Vihaan – CSC, supported by the Global Fund through Alliance India and National Coalition of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NCPI+), is a comprehensive program targeted at improving the survival and quality of life of PLHIV.
By means of counselling, support groups, outreach services and referral to Govt. health systems and services, our team is working to enhance treatment adherence and retention in HIV care for PLHIV community.
Till date, Vihaan CSC of APPA+ has benefited 13500+ PLHIV by:
- Early linkages to care, support & treatment services, supporting the newly-identified PLHIV to enrol into the ART program.
- Improved treatment adherence and education, helping the PLHIV to sustain and manage their treatment regimens.
- Increased early testing and expanded positive prevention activities, contributing to national efforts to prevent HIV transmission and reduce overall burden of disease.
- Improved social protection and wellbeing of PLHIV, by facilitating access to existing social welfare and protection schemes.
- Strengthened community systems and reduced stigma & discrimination, by building skills of community members to advocate for access to stigma- and discrimination-free services.
Counselling and psycho-social support are provided to motivate the community at keeping a positive outlook towards life and helping them to take control over their physical, emotional, social and spiritual life. Health and nutrition guidance and support in the form of nutrition are regularly provided to the PLHIV.
Additionally, 7600+ PLHIV have been linked to social welfare and protection schemes of the government under the Global Fund project.
APPA+ also implemented the Vihaan project in Adilabad district from 2019 to 2021, benefitting 3500+ PLHIV.
From 2010-2015, with support from the State AIDS Control Society, our team also worked on prevention of HIV from a parent to a child by facilitating promotion of institutional deliveries; the project benefitted 2900+ Women Living with HIV/AIDS (WLHIV).
For the past 11 years [2013 – 2023], APPA+ has been felicitated on the World AIDS Day by the District AIDS Prevention Control Unit (DAPCU) and the Collector for the Best HIV/AIDS Outreach Services to the PLHIV community.
LEGAL AID:
In collaboration with State AIDS Control Society (SACS) of Andhra Pradesh and later, Telangana and with support from District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), APPA+ has been facilitating the process of providing legal services to the PLHIV community since 2008. The recently enacted ‘The HIV/AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act, 2017’ has provided a significant impetus to our work of protecting the rights of the PLHIV community. The objective of the legal aid services is to address the instances of stigma and discrimination faced by the community on account of their HIV status.
Till date, we have provided legal aid to 480+ PLHIV.
COVID-19 RELIEF:
APPA+ closely worked with the district authorities and generated awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic about the necessary precautions to be taken. We also mobilized the PLHIV community for vaccination by addressing their misconceptions and apprehensions about the vaccine. With support from the district authorities and other NGOs, APPA+ ensured regular supply of ration and hygiene kits to the marginalized PLHIV community.
Our team also ensured the home delivery of ART medicines to the community members during the Covid-19 lockdown.
OTHER INITIATIVES:
Nutrition Support: 140 marginalized PLHIV in Khammam district have been receiving nutrition support every month for the past 10 years, with support from the Christen Service Unit. 30 PLHIV have been receiving nutrition support every year from past 12 years, with support from Satya Sai Trust. 500 PLHIV received nutrition support from Mas Mutual India in 2023.
Education Support provided to 30 students affected with HIV/AIDS, with support from the Satya Sai Trust.