“The HIV epidemic has an overall decreasing trend in the country with estimated annual New HIV infections declining by 37% between 2010 and 2019,” says HIV estimates report (2019) of the Government, India. The efforts are remarkable to fade away this epidemic but there are people still infected and coping with this life threatening disease. The report says according to the estimate around 23.49 lakh people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in 2019.   

To address this situation, Caritas India through its Gram Nirman program supports people living with HIV/AIDS in slum areas of the North East district of Delhi. It aims to reduce HIV /AIDS-related morbidity and mortality together with socio-economic rehabilitation of families living with HIV/AIDS. 

People living with HIV/AIDS need special care for their medical, treatment, and psychosocial well-being. Home-based care caters to the physical, psychosocial, palliative, and spiritual needs of PLHIV to help them in overcoming their mental stress and anxiety.

Caritas India organised an orientation on February 15, 2022, on Home-based Care to the HIV/AIDS infected and affected to impart knowledge of methods of giving care to the people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. The orientation was important because the virus that causes HIV/AIDS cripples the person physically, mentally economically and socially. The progression of the infection and consequent weakening of the immune system results in various opportunistic infections.

Opportunistic infections are among several barriers that restrict their mobility and reduce the likelihood of them taking up employment. 

The beneficiaries are made aware of various preventive methods to stop the prevention of various communicable infections. They are made aware of the increasing incidences of various infections due to changing lifestyles, attitudes, behaviour patterns etc. Topics of prevention of sexual infections through safe sexual practices, early detection of HIV/AIDS and various STDs were also shared with the participants.

This Orientation has given the beneficiaries safety, which has many meanings. In this particular intervention, it was protection from the onslaught of AIDS, which is detrimental to their social and economic security when health is security. The intervention on this home-based care dealt amply on a range of HIV services, such as care, psychological support, treatment for opportunistic infections, maintenance of health, care in homes etc. In a way, they are really about building assets to secure lives and livelihoods.  

The core of the event was to maintain health through appropriate and early care that helps the sick and the affected families to maintain their independence and achieve the best possible quality of life. In terms of food, safe water, personal hygiene, sanitation and clothing. Health is a determinant factor in ensuring livelihood means and through these interventions, we help the HIV/AIDS infected and affected to build a stronger future.