Shanthi Nilayam Health care Centre

Ours is the only hospice in Guntur and Prakasam area and patients are referred here by doctors and NGOs. We still face unkind response from some of the neighbors and look forward to the day when we could have our own building.

The clinic has about 10-12 patients daily, and they come from villages of about 40 Km radius. The monthly camps are attended by 200 – 300 patients. Usually Dr. Daisy sees the camp patients, for regular followup. A special camp is also held monthly for those on ARV in order to provide awareness on care, compliance, nutrition and managing their lives. The affection and care shown is a great comfort to the PLHA who have so little self esteem.

When we detect tuberculosis, or drug resistance we refer them to DOTS centre run by the Government or to the General hospitals in Guntur and Ongole, and the doctors give them special attention. Serious patients who need special investigation and treatment are referred to Freedom foundation in Guntur as they have the facilities there. Terminally ill persons however come back to us.

Those who attend the camps also get a free meal sponsored by well wishers including the staff. Counselling is an important component in the camp. Devotions are also held for those who desire spiritual help.

Home based Care

We visit the infected and affected in about 30 villages around the clinic. Some of The PLHA help in locating the newly infected. Counseling and referral are done.

We found that the health and emotional problems of the PLHA are ignored til they become very serious. The doctors are far away or expensive. The family is pre occupied and hence do not take them to the health care providers on time. Sometimes the doctors also treat simple illnesses with costly drugs and cheat them. There is also fear and helplessness in the affected members of the families.

As a solution to these problems we have commenced training of family members in Home based care. A curriculum has been evolved. The students had both theory and practical training by our own staff and resource persons. The outcome is that here are more than 30 trained young women in the community in about 20 villages. We see this as a major contribution in caring for the sick among the PLHA.

Nutritional support

During the current year AMG International, a state level NGO has commenced helping the PLHA in Guntur district with rice, dhal, oil, a few basic drugs such as co trimoxazole and vitamins. They also provide school fees for all the children of the PLHA registered with them through 2 NGOs- TEST foundation, Lutheran counseling and healthcare centre, and 2 networks of PLHA namely HAPPEN and SHIP. This is a great help indeed for the infected and their families. Our staff have been largely responsible in charting out this program and continue to assist in implementing and monitoring the same.

Apart from this we directly support 30 families in the nearby villages which fall within Prakasam district border. This is possible by local donations.

Details of Shanthi Nilayam patients from October 2006 to March 2007

Networking and advocacy

We have organized the PLHA to form a network and this has been named as Shanthinilayam Positive People’s network. They have regular committee meetings to review village situation particularly related to stigma and violence . Gender violence is especially addressed.

Networking among the faith based groups

As this is a Christian belt, we work mainly with pastors. There are around 80 independent pastors who are linked to us. The problems of PLHA and vulnerable groups, are discussed. Through them we conduct community programs. We had 2 such meetings during the current year

Purchase of land

15 cents of prime land near state highway purchased by a concerned family is available to TEST Foundation for construction of a hospice. This has been fenced through shramadana by TEST and PREPARE team. We are hopeful of raising basic structures to house the hospice inmates.

Advocacy issues

The situation of health care for PLHA has tremendously improved in Guntur District. In Prakasam District it is better than what it was. More Cd4 tests are done and many more are provided ARV. Deliveries are undertaken in the main hospitals. Medical care for PLHA is still a major gap. Hospices for terminally ill are not available except for ours. There is no ARV as yet for HIV 2 affected patients. Second-line drugs for those who have developed drug resistance is also a constraint.

Vulnerability is high due to availability of sex workers , sexual violence and casual sex in the factories that are plenty here. Migration also is a contributory factor. Condom use is still very low. However the public is more open to health education.

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