AEGiS-14IAC: Defining methodology for taking action with commitment to implement AIDS Control Program resolving the ambiguous policies &concepts at Mumbai, India.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Defining methodology for taking action with commitment to implement AIDS Control Program resolving the ambiguous policies &concepts at Mumbai, India.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. G12500)

Bamne AR, Gogate AS, Karande AS, Kunte SJ, Khetarpal MN, Naik SM, Paul D
Mumbai Districts AIDS Control Society, Mumbai, India

ISSUE: AIDS Control Program implementation had constraints due to ambiguous policies & concepts at central & local level. It is acknowledged that policies & guidelines should match to control HIV epidemic with optimal utilisation of infrastructure,manpower & funds. Though the need was felt for > than a decade,apt action could not be taken. Hence,was urgent need to readdress the program policies.

DESCRIPTION: Inspite of decade's AIDS Program,Mumbai estimates 350000 HIV cases,which is due to Gaps In Policies & Certain Ground Realities-1.Commercial Sex Workers(CSWs)-by law,prostitution is illegal;2.Few NGOs have HIV intervention program capacity;3.National Health Programs run vertically eg. Reproductive Child Health(RCH) & Family Welfare & Mother & Child Health(FW&MCH),TB 4 No policy on admission & treatment of HIV +ve 5Blood & HIV testing-adherence to rules is difficult To meet these challenges, an autonomous body ie. Mumbai Districts AIDS Control Society is formed evolving strategies-1.Formulating need-based policies 2.Convergence of National health programs ie RCH,FW&MCH,TB for operational synergy 3.Police,etc sensitized on CSWs3.Ensuring hospital admission & care4.Adherence to FDA rules for blood safety;5.Training;6.Collaboration with stakeholders7.Technical & financial support to NGOs for Interventions LESSONS LEARNT:1.Intensive & well-conceived changes in policies & guidelines to meet the local needs had difficulties in initial phase for adopting & convincing the stakeholders but consistent efforts can make changes2.Encouragement & strong persuasion is pre-requisite for involvement of stakeholders

RECOMMENDATIONS: Strategy of readdressing policies & guidelines like convergence of related National health programs at implementation level & utilization of strengths of important stakeholders like universities,police,public health,yields better impact with comprehensive package of services. This strategy is useful to mitigate spread of HIV infection & can be replicated

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Public Policy, Health Policy, National Health Programs, Disease Outbreaks, Child Welfare, India, Case-Control Studies, Child, Human, methods, prevention & control

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G12500