In the bustling streets of East Delhi’s urban slums, where survival is a daily struggle, another battle rages quietly and remains unseen, unspoken, and often ignored. It is the battle of over 1,307 people living with HIV (PLHIV) who fight not only the virus but also the crushing weight of stigma and social exclusion. Amid these invisible struggles, Caritas India’s Gram Nirman Urban Program, with support from Caritas Australia, is extending a compassionate hand, offering medical care and a pathway to dignity and hope.

While skyscrapers rise in the heart of Delhi, the city’s marginalized communities remain vulnerable to one of the most serious health crises, HIV/AIDS. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, over 39,000 individuals in Delhi are living with HIV, with 2,961 new infections expected annually. For those hidden in the shadows of urban slums, accessing healthcare is not just difficult—it can be life-threatening.

Caritas India recognized this critical gap and launched the Gram Nirman Urban Program to rehabilitate families affected by HIV/AIDS across 18 newly identified slums in East Delhi. What makes this initiative unique is its inclusive approach, addressing all categories of PLHIV, including 634 men, 390 women, 92 transgender individuals, 39 female sex workers (FSW), 100 men who have sex with men (MSM), and 52 children.

Identifying and supporting PLHIV is no easy task in a society where fear and prejudice still dominate public perception. Social stigma often drives people to hide their status, preventing them from seeking lifesaving medical assistance. The Gram Nirman team, however, takes a community-first approach, working closely with peer counsellors, government hospitals, and high-risk groups to identify and assist those in need.

Every new case is met with care and discretion. The team conducts home visits while adhering to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) guidelines, ensuring patient confidentiality and trust. Once identified, individuals receive pre-and post-test counselling, are referred to government health facilities, and are supported through routine testing for HIV and opportunistic infections like tuberculosis (TB), which is the most common co-infection among PLHIV.

To enhance care, the team has introduced Opportunistic Infection (OI) tracking cards, which allow patients and caregivers to monitor health conditions and receive timely interventions. Additionally, home-based care ensures that patients receive continuous medical support, nutritional counselling, and emotional care right where they feel safest.

HIV/AIDS does not only weaken the body; it fractures families’ economic stability. Understanding this, Caritas India goes beyond medical care by helping PLHIV rebuild their lives through livelihood initiatives and government welfare linkages.

Once patients are stabilized and feel empowered to reintegrate into society, the Gram Nirman team connects eligible families with government pension schemes and supports their participation in income-generating activities. Seven women’s action groups, comprising 70 women from PLHIV-affected families, have already begun rebuilding their futures through small-scale businesses, fostering economic independence and community solidarity.

The program’s impact over the last six months speaks volumes. 416 PLHIV were protected from opportunistic infections through regular health monitoring. Ninety-five individuals underwent HIV/AIDS testing, curbing the virus’s spread and stabilizing infection rates. Home-based care was provided to 514 PLHIV, reducing the incidence of AIDS-related complications and preventing hospitalization. Furthermore, over 100 patients received psychological counselling, alleviating the mental toll of stigma and rejection.

In a world where many still view HIV as a life sentence, Caritas India is rewriting the narrative: one patient, one family, one slum at a time.

As Caritas India’s Gram Nirman Urban Program continues to reach the most vulnerable, the mission remains clear: to restore hope, health, and dignity to those living with HIV. The journey ahead is long, but with continued commitment and community engagement, the program is not just saving lives but transforming them.

Because in the heart of East Delhi’s slums, where the world often chooses to look away, Caritas India chooses to show up.