MADURAI: At a time when Corona pandemic hit the livelihood of crores of families because of total lockdown, there were some sections that silently worked for the HIV affected persons in various places. In Madurai district, the role of Family Planning Association of India- Madurai Branch- needs special mention for its role since COVID-19 lockdown came into force in March this year.
A more focused attention on People Living With HIV is very much essential as these persons require more nutritious food on a daily basis and like others the HIV infected people too had lost their income or wages during this four month period from March 2020.
“We have done our role as per Tamil Nadu Government’s plan to reach out specially to HIV affected persons because their families too needed support. Through FPAI Madurai Branch we have supplied- delivered food essentials and ART medicines at their doorstep,”Dr.S.Pratibhan, Branch Manager, FPAI Madurai Branch told ‘Lotus Times’ news website here on 29th July 2020.
He had pointed out that HIV patients need good nutritious food daily and the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS) made a quick intervention to help the affected persons. “From FPAI side, we also reached out to support the HIV infected persons…..For 425 persons, we extended support from April by delivering nutritious food at their homes. The support of philanthropists is very good during this Corona crisis period as they came forward to provide HIV affected people,” Dr.Pratibhan has said today.
As per data available, there are 6,000 HIV affected persons registered at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai and they are under ART treatment. The FPAI Madurai Branch took steps to distribute nutritious food kits that included wheat, dhal, Horlicks etc. The volunteers also distributed medicines to HIV persons in their houses because of lockdown restrictions in place. “The Tamil Nadu Government- TANSACS and authorities have been supporting the HIV affected persons and they are being tracked for giving support.
Nutritious food and ART medicines are important for their body immunity. Every month, they are being delivered in this Corona lockdown time,” said Mr.Pratiban and added that more than 700 HIV affected persons in Madurai district received their medicines through FPAI team volunteers.
