Guruprasad (Ratnagiri, Maharashtra) is an NGO run by PLWAs (People Living with HIV/AIDS) and was set up in 2003 by Dr. Devdatta Gore, M.S. In fact at the time of commencing its operations, it was the first and only NGO in the district working in the field of HIV. The Trust is registered with the charity commissioners office and also has a 80G exemption available for donations made to it. Guruprasa
d is active in improving the quality of life of PLWAs, especially given the discrimination that is as yet prevalent in non-urban India. Till date, the Trust has worked with and helped over 3,000 patients and currently has a follow-up patient base of over 1,200 people. The Trust supports 30 to 50 new patients on average every month. ACTIVITIES:
Behaviour change communication
• Arranging for emergency testing of patients/ suspected cases
• Referring terminally ill and other cases to Government hospitals
• Creating and distributing communication material and education brochure on facts/myths etc
• Sending out-reach workers to establish contact and linkages between Guruprasad and patients
• Developing relationships with government officials, health care providers etc to provide support to PLWAs
• Provide counselling services to build rapport, give hope and also disseminate knowledge of various issues
Advocacy programmes & monitoring
• Sensitization programme with youth, teachers, various government department etc
• Meeting with various stake-holders to reduce stigma/ discrimination and mobilise resources
• Analysing various government schemes to benefit PLWAs
• Regular support group meetings
• Helping PLWAs to get and then retain employment
• Documentation of processes, case studies etc
Financial assistance
• Running a daily Out Patient Department, free of cost for PLWAs
• Helping patients meeting costs of treating opportunistic infections at hospitals, community care centres etc
• Helping with ancillary costs such as patients travelling costs, ambulance charges, last rites etc.
• Bearing costs for sonography, x-rays etc when needed
• Schooling expenses for children of PLWAs or infected children
• Laboratory expenses
EFFICIENT OPERATIONS:
Guruprasad is operated efficiently with less than 10 full time employees handling the day-to-day Trust activities. The salary for each such employee ranges from Rs 9,000 to Rs 5.000 /month only. Operating on a lean basis, the Trust informs me that its office expense (office staff, communications, rent etc) is
