Tamil Nadu Family Care Continuum

The Tamil Nadu ARV program implements three family-centered continuum of care and ARV treatment programs through existing government services in equal partnership with NGOs, CBOs and Positive Networks to provide a comprehensive range of HIV/AIDS care, support and treatment services including voluntary testing and counselling, routine medical care, routine HIV care, diagnosis and treatment of opportunistic infections, provision of antiretroviral treatment by trained clinicians, counselling for treatment preparedness and literacy, provision of psycho-social services, nutrition services and adherence counselling, out reach, home care linkages to income generating activities, legal services and housing.

Project Partners:

Funding agency - The Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)

Implementing agency - Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS)

Technical Assistance - SAATHII

Monitoring and Evaluation - Duke University

Goal:

The project aims to achieve reduction of HIV - related morbidity and mortality and improvement of quality of life by providing antiretroviral therapy among children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and their families in the urban and rural areas of Tamilnadu using an innovative miltisectoral model.

Objectives:

• To develop and evaluate a multisectoral model involving government hospitals, NGOs, CBOs and positive networks in providing comprehensive continuum of care and treatment including medical, psychosocial and nutrition services, treatment of opportunistic infections and provision of antiretroviral therapy.
• To develop and evaluate an integrated family centered continuum of care and treatment for HIV positive families.
• To develop successful linkages through partnership among various stakeholders including government, NGOs, CBOs and PLWHAs.
• To integrate community lead treatment preparedness and literacy programs with care, support and services.
• To evaluate the impact of nutrition support and counseling on morbidity and mortality in children and adults.

Project Sites:

**Note: Thiruchirapalli and Kanyakumari districts are not covered from second year.

The hospital sites will cater to the twelve districts as listed below:

Kilpauk Medical College Hospital (Chennai cluster) - Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Viluppuram.

Govt. Mohankumaramangalam Medical College Hospital (Salem cluster) - Salem, Erode, Dharmapuri, Thiruchirapalli and Perambalur.

Govt. Medical College Hospital (Tirunelveli cluster) - Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari.

Commencement of the Project: September 2005.

Outcomes:

• Prevent children being orphaned.
• Reduce HIV related mortality and morbidity among families.
• Achieve 90% adherence among adults receiving ARV therapy.
• Improve quality of life among families.

Contact Information:

For more information on this project contact Dr. Sai Subhasree Raghavan via email to subhasree_raghavan@yahoo.com