Living with HIV is a traumatic experience, due to the high level of stigma and discrimination attached to HIV/AIDS. Often, families and society abandon the sick relative and break all ties with them. Access to quality health care, support, and treatment is challenging for people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Many PLHIV patients face financial challenges that prevent them from continuing their medications and treatment. Caritas India, through its Gram Nirman programme, has made an effort to support these vulnerable populations in the urban slums of the national capital. The programme focused on enhancing community health and well-being through improved access to quality essential health care services, with a special focus on women, children, the differently abled, and people infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

The programme has taken a holistic approach to bring positive change to the lives of those living with HIV. A three-day psychological counselling and medical health check-up camp was organised on May 22–24, 2023, for the PLHIVs. The camp was co-organised with the government hospital and a like-minded NGO to serve as a one-stop solution for the health and psychological needs of PLHIV. People infected with HIV received treatment from proficient doctors, and those suffering from fear, sadness, and suicidal ideation have a secure and confidential setting in which to express themselves, as well as therapy from therapists.

HIV is a chronic but manageable disease. Although highly active anti-retroviral therapy improves the quality of life of HIV patients, the medication must be continued forever because a total cure has not been demonstrated. Along with their chronic illness, HIV patients face significant psychosocial and psychological stress because of rejection, societal stigma, disease progression, and other unknowns. This can have an adverse effect on the HIV-positive patient’s mental condition, particularly due to the dread of future perspectives, misunderstandings, and discrimination caused by the HIV epidemic. HIV/AIDS counselling is an important component of HIV care. It addresses the psychosocial needs of HIV patients.

Counselling is the most effective way to assist an individual in coping with the condition and its repercussions. The HIV virus not only destroys a person’s immune system, but it also has an impact on their mental health. The uncertainties stem mostly from the perceived stigma and worry that an individual living with HIV confronts. Thus, it is a mandate to provide HIV counselling during diagnosis to adequately address the person’s psychosocial difficulties.

In HIV, the goal of counselling is to accelerate coping mechanisms, maintain or restore individuals’ social well-being, and prevent social withdrawal.

This is the first time the patients have had three days of consultation and counselling under one roof, overseen by a doctor and a trained therapist from the Government Hospital’s ART Department. This camp has registered more than 110 HIV patients (including children) with Gram Nirman’s urban component. Y.R.G Care, a non-governmental organisation, backed the initiative by providing supplementary nutritional powders such as Horlicks, Boost, and Mouth Wash (Gum Treatment) to all HIV patients through its network.