In 2014, numerous news reports from different parts of the country described severe shortages of drugs for treatment of HIV positive persons. As a result of several meetings held subsequently between members of civil society organisations with the National AIDS Control Organisation, it was decided that a structured framework for community monitoring would be developed to monitor the treatment and care services on the ground, and inform NACO officials on a real time basis for taking remedial action. The Community Monitoring Project, borne of this, drew from 30 Community Based Organizations and Networks representing PLHIVs, Sex Workers, Transgenders and MSM. It was facilitated by Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) and documented the experience of patients in dealing and coping with the shortages. These experiences may serve as pathways to make community led feedback integral to Care, Support and Treatment Services not just for HIV but for the management of other equally life threatening and chronic and life-long diseases.
Centre for Advocacy and Research was founded in 1998. It works to advance the rights of marginalized communities through evidence based advocacy by developing an active interface between these communities, the media and government bodies. It has been working towards effective social inclusion and mainstreaming of communities most vulnerable and at-risk of HIV since 2005.
Anjali Gopalan is Founder and Executive Director of Naz Foundation.
Prof Indrani Gupta is Professor and Head, Health Policy Research Unit, Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi.
Dr Vandana Prasad is Founding Secretary and National Convener of the Public Health Resource Network.
Dr Rajani Ved is Advisor, Community Processes, National Health Systems Resource Centre
Biraj Patnaik is Principal Adviser to the Supreme Court Commissioners on the Right to Food.
