Care and Support to PLHA in Hyderabad (CHEYUTHA)
 
Cheyutha is a Telugu word (local language of Andhra Pradesh) which means ‘a supporting hand’. The People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) group organised under the banner of Network of People Positive – now known as HIV of People Positive Efficiency Society (HOPES) chose the name for their new initiative. Cheyutha was launched on 8th February, 2005.
HIV of Positive People Efficiency Society is a community-based organisation, established by like-minded people living with HIV/AIDS in A.P. Cheyutha extends help, advice and support to PLHA living mainly in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and Nalgonda District.
 
It also helps the families to accept the infected without prejudice and discrimination.
 
Keeping the needs in mind, the following activities have been initiated.
 
  1. Clinical facility: The project provides presumptive and regular treatment for opportunistic infections and treatment for opportunistic infections. Every Wednesday and Saturday, clinics are organised at Cheyutha office, and economically poor patients are supported with free drugs.

  2. Counselling: Members are counselled in groups as well as individually, depending on the need and issues. During the counselling sessions, issues related to positive living, safe sex practices, nutrition and treatment awareness are covered.

  3. Nutritional support: ATMIT Powder (nutritional powder) is provided to the terminally sick patients, monthly ration is provided to the orphaned children living with their grandparents.

  4. Resource Centre: PLHA visiting the centre are provided with the information on services available for them, literature on HIV/AIDS, positive living and related issues.

  5. Referral Centre: Cheyutha works as a referral centre for PLHA referred by others for Cheyutha services and Cheyutha, in turn, refers to other service providers for services not available at Cheyutha.

    Child-centered activity: A number of activities are envisaged like a children’s corner (one side of the office is set aside for children to enable them to play) while the parents spend an uninterrupted time with the staff/doctors, educational support, a summer camp (where children are taught new skills), children’s day programme (where competitions are held and prizes given away). New born baby kits (started by Latter Day Saint Charities) are delivered to HIV positive women on delivery.

  6. Training on occupational skills: In collaboration with Satyam computers, the first batch of ten students have been trained on data entry.

  7. AASHA Programme of APSACS: Many of the network members share their experience with the general public.

  8. Media Advocacy: Programmes were conducted with the help of media to create mass awareness to improve the understanding of the general public with the help of television channels like ETV2, BBC, and TV9.

  9. Capacity building: Network members and staff are involved in the capacity building programmes to upgrade their skills.

  10. Networking: Organisations, hospitals and centres like State TB Chest Hospital, Osmania General Hospital for ARV treatment, VCCTC, PPTCT, Freedom Foundation, 1097- Help Line, Bhavani short stay home, Freedom Foundation Shivananda rehabilitation home, HRLN (Human Rights Law Network Lawyer’s Collective) etc also involved in extending help and support.

  11. Promote and protect the rights of the infected and affected : HOPES is working with the Networking of Lawyer’s Collective - HRLN (Human Rights Law Network Lawyer’s Collective). Eight property cases have been filled with the help of HRLM for their property rights.
 
Health Camps and weekly clinics
Outreach activities
Supportive programme

 
© Copyright LEPRA Society - All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|