Convergences of existing services, strengthens the Link Worker Scheme.

LWS  Review meeting conducted at SEVAI

Trichy: 3rd July: APAC/NACO assisted Link workers scheme, implemented by Trichy based SEVAI NGO in rural blocks of Trichy.A review meeting was conducted by Dr.K.Govindaraju, the chief functionary of SEVAI to take stock of the present situation of this project with project team of LWS. Trichy District Resource Person Ms.Percy and the entire supervisory training and monitoring team of this LWS participated in this review. Dr.K.Govindaraju suggested the project staff of SEVAI those are involved in Self Help Groups of Women, Cluster Resource Persons, Panchayat Level Federation Leaders of Self Help Groups, Animaotrs and Representatives of Self Help Group members of SEVAI promoted 7000 SHGs will be of great support to LWS and the LWS staff team can solicit their support for the successful implementation of LWS in Trichy rural Blocks. It is suggested that the services of the staff of Special Educators can also be solicited for volunteering for implementation of this project activities. Mrs.Percy,DRP,Trichy District enlightened the SHG participants on LWS and further said” “ “The Link Worker Scheme addresses the complex needs of the rural HIV prevention, care and support requirements by halting and reversing the epidemic in the rural areas of highly vulnerable districts at capacitating the rural community and equipping them with HIV related knowledge to combat the epidemic, Identifying and training, the village level workforce of Supervisors, Link Workers and volunteers on issues of HIV/AIDS, gender, sexuality, STIs and above all on mobilizing difficult-to-reach, especially vulnerable sub populations including high risk individuals, youth and women. Linking the HRG and vulnerable populations to the public health services for STI, ICTC, ART and then their follow up back to communities (saturation of coverage to HRGs), Generating volunteerism among the community for fighting HIV & AIDS and inculcating health values is another cornerstone of this strategy, Addressing issues regarding counselling, condoms and behaviour change among youth and Addressing the issues of stigma and discrimination. The Project is implemented in 100 villages of 14 blocks in Trichy District, Tamilnadu. A mapping survey was carried out in 100 most vulnerable villages of the District spreading over all the 14 blocks. Factors leading to vulnerability are heavy traffic on the National and State Highway, a large number of people employed in tea stalls and factories and garages being migrant workers and the male population from the draught prone villages seeking a living as construction workers and also the presence of Traditional Sex Workers and Commercial Sex Worker Sites in different locations. The aim of the project is to reach a target group of vulnerable and High risk populations in rural area with information about HIV/AIDS and general health program and thereby prevent the disease from spreading further. The project also assists people already affected to be accepted by the society and to cope with the situation of living with HIV/AIDS. The project created a group of locally trained personnel as Link Workers and volunteers to work with High Risk Groups and vulnerable youth in selected villages. The Project has: Completed the vulnerable mapping of 100 villages, identified the High Risk Individuals and High Risk Groups from the villages, Identified  volunteers in the villages, Formed 100 Red ribbon Clubs in the target villages, Organized HIV testing camps with the help of Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre’s (ICTC) and Community Health Centers’ (CHC) doctors, Distributed condoms, Identified and trained 40 Link Workers, Formed  Condom Outlets in 100 villages, Made 2,923 STI treatments, Organized 100 Street plays in different villages, Organized shows, Organized exhibition in 50 villages, Opened information centre in all villages, Organized 100 training for Village Health and sanitation committee in the district and trained 4000 people on the HIV/AIDS through Self Help Groups”. It was decided to implement the LWS in Trichy converging the line departments support for the success of LWS.-Govin